May Shrub of the Month-Ruby Slippers Hydrangea
You might have heard the term ‘Four-Season Interest’ when it comes to plants. The oak leaf hydrangeas set the bar for four-season interest, and one of my favorites to use is Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’.
Like most oak leaf hydrangeas, ruby slippers have a tell-tale leaf with deep lobes that resemble an oak tree leaf, whereas other hydrangeas have simple, ovate-shaped leaves. Ruby slippers also have beautiful, peely, cinnamon-colored bark and persistent flower heads adding to the winter interest.
Where ruby slippers differs is in the flowers and the size. All oak leaf hydrangeas bloom white in spring, but ruby slippers will age from bright white to a deep pink, (should I say “ruby” color?) WOWZERS!
In winter, they turn the standard parchment brown color, (See photo below.) but I would still consider them showy, even without the metallic spray paint that some feel the need to add to the dried blooms in floral bouquets.
The size is what sells a lot of people. Some oak leaf hydrangeas can grow to 10′ or more, but ruby slippers are compact, usually between 3-5′ high or wide. It also has a more rounded shape than the other oak leaf cultivars that take on a free-form habit unique to each plant.
Once established, ruby slippers is hardy in St. Louis and a reliable bloomer even during harsh winters.
What I love about this plant–
-The hardiness and reliable blooms during most St. Louis winters.
-The size and rounded habit.
-The super-low maintenance. Will take sun or part-shade.
-The flowers that change from white to pink.
– Fall color is OUTSTANDING!
-A four-season plant.
What’s not so great
–Can take a while to get established and mature enough to bloom.
-Oak leaf hydrangeas flower on what they call ‘old wood,’ meaning stems and buds formed in late summer/fall. IF you need to prune it, do it early, just after the white flowers mature in late spring or early summer.
-Although they have no major diseases or pests, the leaves can get some leaf blight which can be a bit unsightly sometimes.
Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.
