Oakleaf hydrangea 'Pee Wee' 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 is a smaller cultivar reaching a height of 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity. Its leaves are also smaller than other oak-leaved hydrangeas. Plant 'Pee Wee' in the full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained soil. Mulch this plant in the summer to conserve soil moisture. Because blooming occurs on old wood, prune if needed immediately after flowering. Winter-damaged stems may be pruned in early spring. Flower buds can be killed by harsh winter temperatures. Plant it as a specimen plant near a patio or entryway. 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 quercifolia 'Alice'Hydrangea quercifolia 'Flemygea'Spiraea japonica Limemound® 'Monhub'
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
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Smaller leaves than the other oak leaf hydrangeas reaching 5" long. Deep green turning, bronze, purple,or red in the fall.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Cross
Flower detail
Showy white mostly sterile 4 petaled flowers in pyramid panicles appear from June-July
Bloom time
Summer
Bark color
Light Brown
Bark detail
Exfoliating bark reveals brown color underneath that brings winter interest to the landscape.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio; Woodland
Landscape theme
Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#fall color bronze #fall color purple #foundation planting #flowers early summer #showy flowers #deciduous shrub #low maintenance #specimen #flowers mid-summer #white flowers #mass planting #winter interest #fall color red #fall interest #hedge #patio #woodland #accent #shrub border #compact #small groups #poisonous #poisonous if ingested
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses