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Hydrangea quercifolia 'Munchkin'

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Munchkin’ – is a real beautiful rounded dwarf, a descendant of 'Sike's Dwarf' with all parts of the plant proportionally smaller than its larger brethren. 'Munchkin' provides an abundant display of 6.5 inch white flowers held upright atop the leaves; the inflorescences age medium pink. The dark green foliage is more refined as compared to larger growing siblings, turning a rich mahogany-red in autumn. This makes a fine filler plant among and between taller background shrubs, conifers or broadleaf evergreens. It is equally spectacular in the herbaceous garden and planted with warm season grasses. 'Munchkin' is one among the laudable results of the U.S. National Arboretum breeding program. For gardeners towards the northern end of its range spring planting is advised.


Height:

36 in

Spread:

54 in

Colors:

White

Zone:

5 to 8
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Characteristics and Attributes for Hydrangea quercifolia 'Munchkin'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Summer / Autumn

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Interesting Bark

  • Exfoliating

Autumn Interest

  • Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads
  • Autumn Leaf Color
  • Showy Buds

Light

  • Full Sun
  • Mostly Sunny

Attributes

  • Shrub Border
  • Border
  • Hedge
  • Edging
  • Hedgerow
  • Massing
  • Specimen
  • Foundation
  • Accent

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Draining
  • Fertile

Origins

  • Garden Origin

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Hydrangea quercifolia

Common Name: Oakleaf Hydrangea

This is the Oakleaf Hydrangea which hales from the southeastern part of the U. S. They are all just plain beautiful with bold leaves that bear a similar shape to those of Red Oaks. The flowers are large paniculate cones opening white in summer. The flowers become increasingly infused with pink as the season progresses. Flowers continue to deepen and darken as the beautiful leaves turn a rich wine burgundy. The burgundy foliage remains on the shrub for many weeks in autumn as the flowers finally turn brown. When the foliage finally drops you are left with exfoliating wood which displays two colors, putty-colored inner wood and very dark brown outer wood. Next years' buds looking like stylized Greek urns set atop soft buff-orange fuzzy stems. It is a beautiful shrub endowed with four season interest. Full sun to part shade in the north, plant them in more shade down south. Fertile draining soils will support this plant. All of the following are cutting grown. All hydrangeas may be pruned back so that you will avoid the extra handling charge if necessary but only if this is deemed necessary.