Hydrangea quercifolia HOVARIA^® 'Quercifolia'

HOVARIA^® is a trademark which belongs to Koos Hofstede and his son Wilko from Dutch town Huissen who have been growing and breeding hydrangeas since 1980’s. Their very first variety was a lace-cap macrophylla type in 1994 and they named it Hobella. So far they have only one oak-leaved hydrangea which is this one, yet it is very beautiful and unique. No wonder it received the award of Best Novelty at Flower Auction Holland in March 2001.

HOVARIA^® Quercifolia is an oak-leaved hydrangea producing up to 35 cm long panicles composed of double flowers whose petals are carefully assembled in several layers. They come out pale lime green in late June into bright creamy white flowers for about two months. Then they slowly, layer by layer, turn various shades of pastel pink and maroon. It is a fascination sight looking at the multicoloured composed flower. The inflorescence is rather heavy and will droop unless staked.

Its deciduous leaves are highly ornamental, too. They are deeply lobed, shaped like oak leaves with conspicuous tips, leathery, rich green in spring and summer, and rich carmine red and striking wine red in late summer. These eye-catching leaves are held well throughout almost the entire autumn season, falling very late – among the last deciduous shrubs.

The shrub is quite bushy and uniform and will stand upright only if properly staked once the inflorescences are formed. Pruning is not necessary, however, if you need to prune or shape the plant do so immediately after flowering because it flowers on previous year’s wood. Still, it is not recommended and to keep it smaller, rather than stem pruning root pruning is suggested.

Oak-leaved hydrangea comes from moist and boggy sites along streams and riverbanks, 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: 20-07-2021