Hydrangea quercifolia Burgundy

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Burgundy' is an oakleaf hydrangea that remains compact, rarely exceeding 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in height. Like the type species, it displays large, particularly decorative cut leaves due to their atypical appearance. In autumn, they take on an even more vivid colour than in the original botanical species. Its second strong point is its flowers in large white panicles (up to 25 cm (9.8 inches)), which last over several months in summer. Adapting to many soil and sunlight conditions, even accepting a little limestone unlike most other Hydrangeas, it is an easy-to-grow shrub and well suited to small gardens.

Hydrangea quercifolia, from the Hydrangeaceae family, is mainly native to the southwestern United States, particularly the Mississippi Valley. It is found growing on cliffs, in wet woods, ravines and on the banks of rivers, from Georgia to Louisiana, passing through Florida. It is a large deciduous shrub which can reach 4 m (13 ft) in height in its natural habitat and widens by producing shoots up to 3.5 m (11 ft) wide. It is characterised by a deep root system, and large lobed leaves, the appearance of which is said to resemble the leaves of the American red oak (Quercus rubra). In reality, the leaves of the latter are more thread-like and much smoother. Those of the Hydrangea are wide and their surface a little rough, with more marked veins. It is appreciated for its superb autumn colours and its flowering in large, upright, compound white panicles composed of small powdery fertile flowers surrounded by larger sterile florets, which turn pink at the end of the season. In the garden, it is one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow: it is hardy below -20 °C (-4 °F), tolerates a little limestone in the soil, and copes with heat and occasionally dry soils in summer if they are deep. Capable of thriving in the sun, it also grows well in partial shade.

This 'Burgundy' variety generally has the same characteristics except that it is much less voluminous than the type species which tends to spread wide! This variety will reach about 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) in all directions in 5 years and 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in 10 years. As it also tolerates pruning well, it can be grown in a decorative pot, watering it quite regularly, as it will not be able to draw water from deep down. However, this Hydrangea will look nicer in the ground, where it will branch out better and can do without watering after the first few years of planting. It is a low-maintenance plant and so a spring cleaning pruning is enough to remove the faded inflorescences from the previous autumn. Its other asset is that it colours more strongly than the type species to take on a Burgundy-red hue (hence its name, Burgundy).

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Burgundy' appreciates slightly sunny exposures which accentuate its autumn colours and the number of its flowers: light filtered through the foliage of trees or even shade in a hot climate. It is easily used in flower beds, not encroaching on its neighbours like the type species. It can be combined with other hydrangeas, but also with many other shrubs that grow in neutral soils. As it flowers in summer from June to August, it can be joined by shrubs with spring flowering. The flamboyant Forsythia Mikador, with its yellow flowers in March-April, will be a good flower bed companion, combined with the very pretty Weigela florida Magical Rainbow, whose pink flowers will take over in May-June, preceding that of 'Burgundy'. Its yellow variegated foliage will also form a very pretty contrast in shape and colour. To last until the end of the summer, the flowers of one of the many varieties of Lagerstroemia will allow you to enjoy an attractive flower bed throughout the season. And by choosing a variety with purple foliage, you will further enhance its aesthetic appeal.