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(Hydrangea barbara)
Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea barbara)
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Jesse Rorabaugh
Public Domain
Image By:
Jesse Rorabaugh
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jesse Rorabaugh | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Jesse Rorabaugh | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2016-05-22T06:39:43-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Climate Requirements
| • Precipitation | 52" - 62" |
| • High Temp. | 88°F - 92°F |
| • Low Temp. | 28°F - 44°F |
Summary
Hydrangea barbara, commonly known as Oakleaf Hydrangea, is a deciduous shrub native to bluffs, moist woods, ravines, and stream banks in the Southeastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters) and a width of 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters), but can reach up to 12 feet (3.6 meters) in both height and width in ideal conditions. This plant features deeply lobed, oak-like leaves and produces showy flower panicles with creamy white blooms in late spring to early summer, which gradually turn to pink and then brown as they age. The exfoliating bark and rich, mahogany-red fall foliage add year-round interest.
Oakleaf Hydrangea is valued for its four-season appeal, with large, attractive leaves, long-lasting flowers, and striking fall color. It is used in woodland gardens, as a specimen or accent plant, and in mass plantings for erosion control on slopes. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun if provided with sufficient moisture. This hydrangea thrives in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, and requires regular watering during dry periods. It is generally pest and disease resistant but can be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew in humid climates. Due to its flammable nature, it should not be planted close to buildings in fire-prone areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Oakleaf Hydrangea is valued for its four-season appeal, with large, attractive leaves, long-lasting flowers, and striking fall color. It is used in woodland gardens, as a specimen or accent plant, and in mass plantings for erosion control on slopes. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun if provided with sufficient moisture. This hydrangea thrives in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, and requires regular watering during dry periods. It is generally pest and disease resistant but can be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildew in humid climates. Due to its flammable nature, it should not be planted close to buildings in fire-prone areas.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Vine
- Height: 12-36 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen, Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to bluffs, moist woods, ravines, and stream banks in the Southeastern United States
Other Names
Common Names: Climbing Hydrangea, Woodvamp
Scientific Names: Decumaria barbara, Hydrangea barbara, Decumaria sarmentosa, Decumaria forsythia, Decumaria barbara var. sarmentosa, Decumaria prostrata, Decumaria radicans, Decumaria scandens, Forsythia scandens
GBIF Accepted Name: Hydrangea barbara (L.) Bernd Schulz