Hydrangea quercifolia 'hqopr010' ICE CRYSTAL oak-leaved hydrangea

ICE CRYSTAL is an eye catching variety of oak-leaved hydrangea. While its sister variety Burgundy makes leaves that are similar to those on English oaks, ICE CRYSTAL produces foliage á la swamp oak - very deeply cut and acute. They are deciduous, thick, rich green in spring and summer, and burgundy copper red from late summer for at least 2 months. The inflorescence is mid-sized, composed of mainly fertile (inconspicuous) flowers accompanied by a few 4-petalled creamy white sterile flowers. They turn pink to light purple in late summer, and brown in early autumn.

Another nice feature about oak-leaved hydrangeas is their exfoliating bark which reveals orange-brown bark. Pruning is a waste of time in case of this compact variety, still, if you need to prune or shape the plant do so immediately after flowering because it flowers on previous year’s wood.

Oak-leaved hydrangea comes from moist and boggy sites along streams and river banks, therefore, it will require similar conditions in the garden. Grow it in constantly moist soil, in full sun or part shade, it can even take temporary waterlogging. It is not fussy about soil pH or quality – it will grow even in clay and compacted ground, but more slowly. It is fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update: 26-03-2017