The Gorgeous Hydrangea You'll Want For A Colorful Fall Garden

Hydrangeas are a pretty large group of flowers with different bloom times, colors, and sizes. While many of them flower in spring or summer, there is a group of varieties and species that have more of a tendency to produce blooms in the fall. Out of these, one stands out not only because of its flowers, but also its large and bold foliage. This species is known as oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia). As the name suggests, these flowers have large leaves that are pretty and very similarly shaped to those of oaks. They turn brilliant shades of gold, yellow, orange, and red during autumn as well, making these flowers a beautifully colorful option to have in your garden in the fall.

Blooming in early summer, flower petals are bright white and grow together into a tall pyramid shape. As those fall colors come in on the leaves though, the petals slowly change to a faint pink. To make them even more unique, in the winter, the bark peels back from the branches and reveals a darker color that catches the eye as everything else in your garden starts to die off.

Though they are a unique species, you can still mostly rely on the gardening tips and tricks for successful hydrangea blooms every year. However, unlike some other species of hydrangeas, you cannot hope to change the color of your flowers by changing the soil pH. Instead, they will remain either bright white or dusty pink.

They grow roughly 4 to 8 feet tall and are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. But don't worry if you aren't in this range; it is also pretty easy to grow and care for hydrangeas indoors. If you're looking for an eye-catching plant that is similar enough in care to the hydrangeas you already know and love, this species is a great choice, no matter where you live. Pay close attention to the variety you choose, however. In the wild, these plants can easily get up to 10 feet tall. If this is larger than what you want, there are options for smaller sizes or more compact plants like 'Pee Wee' or 'Ruby Slippers'.

Not only are oakleaf hydrangeas unique in their appearance, but they are fairly easy to care for. The best spot in your garden to plant hydrangeas, including this species, is somewhere they get morning sun and afternoon shade, but can handle anywhere between full and partial sun. However, the more light they get, the greater number blooms.

They are fairly heat-tolerant, especially for a hydrangea. The soil needs to be rich, but hydrangeas can handle sandy or loamy conditions as long as they get enough moisture and the ground drains well. They are naturally found in woods near streams, so they do enjoy having more moisture, especially in their first year after planting, but will be drought-tolerant once established.