Virginia Tech Dendrology

oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangeaceae Hydrangea quercifolia W. Bartram symbol: HYQU3
Leaf: Opposite, simple, serrated, 3- to 7-lobed (oak-like), 4 to 8 inches long, green and smooth above, lighter and downy below.
Flower: White (later turning pink), in long (4 to 12 inches) clusters, outer flowers larger and sterile, inner flowers fertile and creamy colored, appearing in mid-summer.
Fruit: Dry capsule, not showy, persistent.
Twig: Stout, very pubescent, rusty-brown, large buds with pubescent scales.
Bark: Reddish brown, exfoliates heavily.
Form: Small shrub 4 to 8 feet in height, numerous suckering stems, round crown.
Looks like: wild hydrangea - bigleaf hydrangea - panicle hydrangea

Additional Range Information: Hydrangea quercifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Fall Color
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material © 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information