Hydrangea quercifolia Sikes Dwarf

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike's Dwarf' is an oakleaf hydrangea, interesting for its modest growth. Like the species type, it boasts large, particularly decorative lobed leaves with their atypical appearance. They also have the good taste to take on superb autumn colours before falling. Its flowering in large white panicles, which lasts for several months from the beginning of summer until September or October, is its second strong point. Adapting to many soil and sunlight conditions, unlike many other Hydrangeas, it is a shrub that is easy to grow and well suited to small gardens.

Hydrangea quercifolia, from the Hydrangeaceae family, is mainly native to the south-west United States, particularly the Mississippi Valley. It is found growing on cliffs, in damp 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 6 in) wide. It is characterised by a deep root system and large lobed leaves, which are said to resemble the leaves of the American red oak (Quercus rubra). In reality, the leaves of the latter are more thread-like as well as being much smoother. Those of the Hydrangea are wide and their surface a bit rough, with more marked veins. It is appreciated for its superb autumn colours and its flowering in large white and upright panicles, 20-25 cm (7.9-9.8 in) long, 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 bit of 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 'Sike's Dwarf' variety generally has the same characteristics with one exception: it is much less voluminous than the species type, which tends to spread out in width! This variety has sparse branches, but due to its small growth (about 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in height for 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) in width), it has a compact visual aspect that is very decorative.

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike's Dwarf' appreciates slightly sunny exposures which accentuate its autumn colours and increase its number of flowers. It also benefits from the light filtered by tree foliage or even shade in hot climates. It is easily used in groups, where it does not encroach on its neighbours like the species type. It can also be planted alone in a small garden or along a path, but it does not tolerate pot culture well. It can be combined with other hydrangeas, but as it does not require heath soil, it can also be combined with many other shrubs that grow in neutral soils. As it blooms in summer until late in the season, spring-flowering shrubs can be added to it. The charming little Lilac 'Red Pixie', with its very fragrant small pink flowers, Physocarpus 'Golden Devil', with purple foliage that will contrast with the green of the Hydrangea, or the pretty Spiraea arguta, with its graceful branches covered with white flowers, will therefore be good companions for the beginning of the season.

For summer, the surprising and almost black-purple, narrow foliage and slightly wispy blue flowers of Ceanothus 'Tuxedo' will add lightness alongside our Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sike's Dwarf', while creating a seductive colour contrast.