Courtesy of The Home Depot
Hydrangeas are adored for brightening a shadier garden with beautiful blooms in summer.
While there are manytypes of hydrangeasto choose from, the oakleaf hydrangea is a popular pick for good reason.
Bump up the wow factor and plant several ‘Ruby Slippers’ for an incredible display all year round.
Credit:Courtesy of The Home Depot
Just ensure to keep an eye on young children and pets, as hydrangeas are mildly toxic.
Water regularly while the plant is getting established and use mulch to keep the shallow roots cool.
Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on last year’s growth, so prune them minimallyright after they bloom.
Your shrub should be exposed to at least two to six hours of direct sun a day.
Some sunlight is necessary for a good bloom.
The flowers develop more intense color in full sun.
Soil
As a woodland plant, oakleaf hydrangeas prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
Oakleaf hydrangeas grow best in mildly acidic soil, but will also do fine in neutral soil.
Alkaline soils must be amended with sulfur, iron sulfate, or aluminum sulfate.
Clay or sandy soils should be amended with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and moisture retention.
A layer of mulch, shredded leaves, or pine straw can help preserve moisture as well.
After that, you might limit watering to when the top 2 inches of soil is dry.
It is not as reliably winter hardy in the northern limits of its range in the Midwest and Northeast.
Fertilizer
Organic matter provides all the fertilizer ‘Ruby Slippers’ needs in most cases.
Pruning
‘Ruby Slippers’ is acompact hydrangeathat requires very little pruning.
Remove any winter-damaged stems in early spring, then reserve further pruning for just after the shrub flowers.
Most years, pruning is not required at all or is limited to removing a crossing or stray branch.
Propagating ‘Ruby Slippers’ Hydrangea
Large hydrangea shrubs can also be propagated by layering.
First, select a pot that is at least 2 inches wider than the nursery pot.
A container that is 16-24 inches wide can last for several years.
The pot should have drainage holes and be frost-proof if you have cold winters.
Water the soil well and add a thin layer of mulch over top.
Each year in early spring, add a fertilizer that is labeled for roses or flowering shrubs.
you’re free to repot it in a larger container or transplant it in the garden.
When repotting, use fresh soil rather than the old potting soil, which leaches nutrients over time.
Add 2 more inches of mulch on top of the existing mulch after the ground freezes.
The excess mulch can be removed in spring.
Water occasionally during the winter, especially during warmer spells, to keep the plant alive and healthy.
Then move it back outdoors when temperatures begin to warm up in spring.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Spider mites and aphids may nibble on hydrangea foliage.
With a more serious infestation, use insecticidal soap.
Deer enjoy nibbling on the leaves and flowers.
Use a repellent spray to discourage them.
Oakleaf hydrangeas rarely have serious problems.
you’re free to spray the leaves with fungicide if the plant’s health is affected.
If you don’t see any flower buds, improperly timed or aggressive pruning is the most likely culprit.
Limit your pruning to right after the shrub flowers, or don’t prune at all.
Sometimes cutting spent flowers off just below the inflorescence can encourage more blooms.
If your shrub isplanted in deep shade, you may need to increase light exposure to see any flowers.
North Carolina State University.Hydrangea.
