Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Alice' is an erect rounded decidous shrub with showy white flowers that appear in early to mid-summer. As the flowers age they fade to pink. This shrub will reach a height of 5 to 8 feet tall and wide at maturity. Plant 'Alice' in the full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained soil. Mulch this plant in the summer to conserve soil moisture. Like all hydrangeas, it needs to be pruned immediately after flowering as flower buds are produced on second year wood. Flower buds can be killed by harsh winter temperatures. Plant it as a specimen plant near a patio or entry way. It works well in small groups, in shrub borders, as an informal hedge, or in a woodland or winter themed garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems and resistant to many leaf diseases that plague other hydrangeas. Aphids and spider mites are occasional insect pests. Leaf blight and powdery mildew occasional disease problems. More information on Hydrangea quercifolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheHydrangea quercifoliaHydrangea quercifolia 'Flemygea'Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Poisonous; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Deep green leaves reach 8" long and resemble oak leaves. In the fall leaves turn attractive shades of purple, bronze, and red.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
4 petaled showy white flowers that fade to pink appear from June-July on large arching panicles that are 10-14 inches long.
Bloom time
Summer
Bark color
Light Brown
Bark detail
Older stems exfoliate to reveal inner brown bark that is quite attractive in the winter.