Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea - A Great Plant!


So you want to plant a native shrub that tolerates half shade (shade in afternoon), has big blooms  in the summer and has great Fall color?

Oh yeah, and it should be compact, fairly minimum maintenance and grow to -20 degrees F.

And it should be reddish/pink.

RUBY SLIPPERS OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA is the answer. 


Monrovia - Ruby Slippers close up
Its 9" long flower clusters start out white, then gradually change to pink and then red, growing above the beautiful oakleaf foliage, which also turns an amazing mahogany red in the fall.   It grows to just 3 1/2 ft. by about 5 feet wide.  Zones 5-9.




Developed by the U.S. National Arboretum in McMinnville, TN in 2010, the compact Ruby Slippers is a cross between Snow Queen and PeeWee hydrangea and does not grow higher than 4 feet. 




It is perfect for small residential gardens (such as mine). 

It also does well in planters and containers - perfect for balconies and decks!  And if you have a larger area, you can use them in a mass planting, as a striking hedge and in mixed borders. 

Blossoms are robust and remain upright even after heavy rains and strong winds. The same is true for the glorious leaves. Just make sure to mulch to retain soil moisture and help keep the roots cool.



Winter interest? It has lovely cinnamon exfoliating bark which is beautiful.

Ruby Slippers is spectacular anywhere it's planted.  






Comments

  1. Hello Friends...

    We want to compliment the great job you’ve done of putting together your fabulous Blog and Facebook Page!

    We gave it a LIKE on behalf of the URBANE LANDSCAPE and CONSTRUCTION GROUP in South Surrey, British Columbia, CANADA (http://www.urbanelandscapers.com).

    The members of our Team love both your Blog and your Page and we’re all looking forward to reading more of your posts, following your activities and seeing more photos too! We’ll SHARE your posts with our friends, because we feel your Posts will connect with, and are related directly to, our Clients interests!

    Here’s the link to our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UrbaneConstruction?ref=hl,
    so you can have a peek at us, also. We would greatly appreciate it, if you would give a LIKE to our Page too… :-)

    Thank you for your consideration.

    Sincerely,
    Team Urbane

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow that hydrangea is the bomb!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I share your enthusiasm, Sharon - oakleafs rule!

      Delete
  3. Great color, and oakleafs are tough. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cindy - you are so right..that is why I love oakleafs...and they tolerate drier soils than other kinds of hydrangeas....

      Delete
  4. Really nice color and compact plant - thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  5. I absolutely love the Oakleaf Hydrangeas. Has anyone found out if deer can resist them?
    Janet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janet...I have found that they may eat them but not their first choice..Depends on how ravenous...but normally safe.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Hi there! I would love to hear from you....

Popular Posts of all Time

Angelface Blue and Dark Violet Angelonia - a Flower that Keeps Giving

Planting Design for Dry Gardens by Olivier Filippi

'Purple Smoke' - The best Baptisia

No-Fail Tips for Turning Hydrangeas Blue!

Repurposed and Recycled - Creative Ideas for Garden Design

The Magnificent Purslane - Edible Landscaping at its best!

My one day Class Wednesday April 16 in NY - Jan Johnsen

The Tradition of Hanami - Cherry Blossom Viewing in Japan