Hydrangea Quercifolia Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea Quercifolia Ruby Slippers is a deciduous shrub with ruby red flowers and dark red foliage in autumn. It’s compact in size and makes an excellent addition to mixed borders or large containers. 

Hydrangea Quercifolia is the Oakleaf hydrangea that’s native to woodlands in the southeastern United States. The name quercifolia is Latin - quercus for oak and folium for leaf. Although its foliage is vaguely oak leaf-shaped it’s not related to oak trees.

The cultivar Hydrangea Quercifolia Ruby Slippers was introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum in 2010. It’s a cross between oak leaf Hydrangea Quercifolia Snow Queen and 'Pee Wee’ that’s noted for its compact size and rich red tones.

It has large upright conical panicles of showy flowers that emerge white in late spring, and quickly turn pink before maturing to ruby red hence its name Ruby Slippers. Distinctive deeply lobed green leaves appear in spring and mature to deep mahogany red in autumn. Its outstanding autumn foliage falls in winter to reveal exfoliate stems of rich red-brown inner bark.

Overall, this is a beautiful red-toned compact shrub with stunning shades. If you’re a lover of strong rich colours, low-maintenance Oakleaf Hydrangea Ruby Slippers is a must-buy.

Height and Spread of Hydrangea Quercifolia Ruby Slippers
Bred for compact size, Oakleaf Hydrangea Ruby Slippers only reaches a maximum height and spread of 1.8 metres.

How Hardy Is Hydrangea Quercifolia Ruby Slippers
If its roots are well drained and it gets enough sun, Ruby Slippers is a hardy shrub in the UK that can withstand wet freezing winters. It’s generally disease-free.

How To Use Hydrangea Quercifolia Ruby Slippers
Its compact size makes this a must for containers on dull patios and sun-filled balconies. It fills a spot in mixed informal borders with year-round colour and can cope with an exposed position.
The flowerheads are long-lasting in arrangements and low-maintenance gardeners will appreciate its hardy, no-fuss nature.

How To Care For Hydrangea Quercifolia Ruby Slippers
Oakleaf Hydrangea Ruby Slippers is simple to grow.
It likes a partially shady position, or full sun if the soil is moist, and neutral to acidic soil of any type including sand or clay. If your soil is very chalky bulk up the planting hole with lots of organic mulch and feed it with a specialist hydrangea food throughout the summer months.
Pruning isn’t required, but dead or damaged branches can be pruned out in early spring.
Mulch it well and water until you see new growth. If you’re growing Ruby Slippers in a container, raise it on feet to allow adequate drainage. Be sure to water and feed it well in the growing months.