Hydrangea quercifolia 'Queen of Hearts' PPAF

• Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem.
• Wildlife: Generally deer-resistant, although young plants may need protection in areas with high deer pressure.

• Season: Spring through Fall
• Flowering Season: Early summer through late summer
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9

🏡 Foundation and Structural Plantings

• Grows 6–7 feet tall and wide, perfect as a large background shrub or screen.
  
• Provides year-round interest: spring/summer blooms, fall color, and winter bark texture.
  

🌳 Woodland and Native Gardens

• Native to the southeastern U.S., ideal for naturalistic or woodland-style landscapes.
  
• Thrives in part shade, making it perfect for planting under open-canopy trees.
  

🎨 Accent or Specimen Shrub

• Makes a strong focal point in mixed borders, with bold foliage and dramatic bloom heads.
  

🍂 Fall Foliage Display

• Outstanding autumn coloration makes it a seasonal showpiece in home gardens or public plantings.
  

🐝 Pollinator-Friendly Gardens

• Fertile florets support bees and other beneficial insects, while flowers transition beautifully for extended visual appeal.
  
  

• Color: Large, deeply lobed, oak-shaped leaves emerge a rich green in spring and transform into shades of burgundy, red, and orange in the fall.
• Shape: Broad, lobed leaves reminiscent of oak leaves, giving the plant its distinctive name.
• Size: Leaves can reach 6-8 inches in length, contributing to the shrub’s full, textured appearance.

• Color: Large, cone-shaped flower clusters begin as creamy white and gradually turn to rose-pink as they age, creating a striking, two-toned effect.
• Bloom Time: Blooms in early summer and continues to show color into late summer.
• Size of Blooms: Flower panicles can reach up to 8-12 inches long, providing a bold, upright floral display.
• Fragrance: Lightly fragrant, adding a soft and pleasant scent to the garden.

• Best Time to Plant: Early spring or fall is ideal, allowing the plant to establish roots before summer heat or winter cold.

Planting Instructions:

• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, organically rich soil. While adaptable to various soil types, slightly acidic to neutral soils produce the best results.
• Spacing: Space plants 5-6 feet apart to allow for mature growth and good air circulation.
• Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface.

• Pruning Needs: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches. Minimal pruning is needed, as it blooms on old wood.
• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers after blooming to keep the plant tidy and encourage healthy growth.
• Winter Care: Apply mulch around the base in colder climates to protect the roots from freezing temperatures. The exfoliating bark also adds winter interest.

• Watering Frequency: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during hot, dry spells.
• Drought Tolerance: Somewhat drought-tolerant once established, but performs best with consistent moisture.

• Preferred Light: Partial shade to full shade. It thrives in dappled sunlight, making it ideal for woodland gardens or shady borders.
• Tolerates: Some morning sun, but it prefers to avoid the harsh midday sun, especially in hotter climates.

💐 For Fresh Cut Arrangements

Best Time to Harvest:

• When flower heads are fully developed but still firm, typically early to mid-summer (June–July).
  

How to Harvest:

Use clean, sharp pruners.

Cut stems early in the morning, just above a node.

Remove lower leaves and place stems in cool water immediately.

• Vase Life:
  
• Large panicle blooms last 5–7 days in fresh arrangements if conditioned properly.
  

🌾 For Drying

• Best Time:
  
• When blooms begin to dry naturally on the shrub and shift to pink or tan shades—usually late summer to early fall.
  
• Drying Method:
  
• Strip foliage.
  
• Hang stems upside down in a dark, dry place, or let them air dry upright in a vase.
  
• Takes 1–2 weeks to dry fully, preserving their cone shape and muted color.
  
  

• When to Fertilize: Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support healthy growth and abundant blooms. An additional feeding after the first bloom can prolong flowering.
• Type of Fertilizer: Use a general-purpose fertilizer or one formulated for flowering shrubs.

• Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the base to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
• Pests: Generally pest-free, though aphids or spider mites may occasionally be present. Treat as needed with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Disease: Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. Avoid overhead watering.

• Hydrangea quercifolia 'Queen of Hearts' is self-pollinating, and its showy blooms attract a variety of pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to a biodiverse garden.

Hydrangea 'Queen of Hearts' prefers part sun to part shade, and moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It pairs well with both native and ornamental species.

🌿 Foliage and Texture Pairings

• Hosta spp. – broad-leaved perennials create a rich green contrast beneath oakleaf foliage.
  
• Heuchera 'Autumn Bride' or 'Obsidian' – add light-reflecting or dark foliage contrast.
  
• Ferns (e.g., Dryopteris, Athyrium) – perfect texture companions in shady, woodland borders.
  

🌸 Blooming Companions

• Astilbe – soft, feathery plumes complement bold flower cones.
  
• Amsonia hubrichtii – fine foliage and fall golden color contrast with burgundy hydrangea leaves.
  
• Echinacea purpurea – adds vertical structure and pollinator appeal in sun-dappled settings.
  

🌳 Shrub Companions

• Fothergilla gardenii – great for fall foliage layering and native woodland harmony.
  
• Viburnum dentatum – attracts birds and adds multi-season appeal.