(Hydrangea quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers') Genus:  Hydrangea I’m one of those people who thinks a garden without a hydrangea would seem incomplete. And because it provides interest in all seasons, oakleaf hydrangea is one of the best. Not everyone, however, has enough garden real estate to devote to such a large plant. Enter ‘Ruby Slippers’, a new compact form of oakleaf hydrangea, which is a must-have for smaller spaces. Developed by one of the premier hydrangea hybridizers, Sandra Reed of the U.S. National Arboretum, ‘Ruby Slippers’ boasts a multitude of stocky flowers that show up as white and then mature to striking deep rose. With its space-conscious habit and vibrant blooms, ‘Ruby Slippers’ will soon become a hugely popular flowering shrub. Care:  ‘Ruby Slippers’, like most oakleaf hydrangeas, requires good drainage. Be sure to provide adequate moisture while the plant is getting established, and use mulch to keep its shallow roots cool. Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on last year’s growth, so prune them minimally after they bloom—not in early spring, when you’ll be removing flower buds. Deer browsing can be a problem. -Andy Pulte is on the faculty of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Overview

Height 42 in. Spread 5 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Part Shade Only Moisture Medium Moisture Maintenance Low Characteristics Showy Flowers, Showy Foliage Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Pink, White Foliage Color Green Type Shrubs