Hydrangea quercifolia 'BURGUNDY' oak-leaved (oakleaf) hydrangea

Burgundy is an attractive oak-leaved hydrangea which distinguishes itself from the species and most other varieties by the deep burgundy red colour of autumn foliage. Moreover, the leaves have more body and rounded lobes and are a bit longer and tougher. They are bright green as they emerge and turn only a tone deeper to grass green in summer. New twigs are golden yellow, slightly hairy.

In late June medium-sized panicles composed of creamy white flowers appear and continue blooming for 6-8 weeks. After that, they do not usually fade out but take on pink shades which develop into slightly deeper purple red shades towards the autumn. Burgundy hydrangea grows more slowly than the species, making a dense shrub with good branching. It keeps a compact shape without pruning. Still, if you need to prune or shape the plant do so immediately after flowering because it flowers on last year’s wood. To achieve a smaller plant, root pruning is preferred – simply cut into the side roots with a spade at a distance of about 25-30 cm from the centre of the shrub and it will not grow as much the following year.

Native habitat of oakleaf hydrangea ranges from moist meadows to partly waterlogged streambanks where the soil has enough nutrients. Provide similar conditions for it in your garden as well. It tolerates heavy soils well; it just may take a while to establish there. It will be happiest in partial shade, but in permanently moist soil, it will thrive even in full sun. Appropriate fertilization will enhance its beauty, but excessive feeding will result in rapid growth and weak branches. Under good conditions, the plant may produce suckers, but it is very easy to keep in place by their removal which can yield new seedlings for planting elsewhere or serve as a gift to your green-fingered friend. Fully hardy to at least -29 °C (USDA zone 5).

Last update: 22-02-2012; 27-01-2025