shrub

Snow Queen Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen'

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Snow Queen Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen') at Millcreek Gardens

Snow Queen Hydrangea in bloom

Snow Queen Hydrangea in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Snow Queen Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen') at Millcreek Gardens

Snow Queen Hydrangea flowers

Snow Queen Hydrangea flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Snow Queen Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snow Queen') at Millcreek Gardens

Snow Queen Hydrangea flowers

Snow Queen Hydrangea flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  6 feet

Spread:  5 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  5b

Other Names:  Oak Leaf Hydrangea

Description:

A phenomenally attractive shrub featuring showy upright flower spikes which fade from white to pink, interesting foliage with reliable fall color and papery bark; rather coarse in appearance, best used in groupings in a garden composition

Ornamental Features

Snow Queen Hydrangea features bold fragrant conical white flowers with pink overtones at the ends of the branches from early to mid summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has dark green deciduous foliage which emerges grayish green in spring. The large fuzzy lobed leaves turn an outstanding brick red in the fall. The peeling brick red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Snow Queen Hydrangea is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its strikingly bold and coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced landscape composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Snow Queen Hydrangea is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Snow Queen Hydrangea will grow to be about 6 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Fall Color  Texture  Bark  Winter Value 
Ornamental Features