This blog post is about oakleaf hydrangeas but I have to set it up a bit. It will make sense shortly.
Professional landscapers are more likely to hear a complaint than “thank you”. Sadly, that’s how it is. But there are exceptions. For example, one beautiful and large site treats its landscapers to a monthly lunch. Nice! In July it was a barbecue.
Smoke and fire!
Walking back to refuel my power shears, I noticed smoke between shrubs and assumed the barbecue was already on. I was wrong. A rebel worker was breaking WCB regulations by smoking on the job so I explained it to him in stronger language that doesn’t belong on this blog.
At lunch both crews assembled for the barbecue and minutes later one owner burst through the gate yelling “fire”. That would have been strange: ten people sitting around a table making small talk while a fire rages on.
What? No flowers?
The barbecue hosts eventually ran out of small talk and asked me why their new Oak leaf hydrangea wasn’t flowering. Well, like most hydrangeas they flower on the prior year’s wood. Since this was a new plant without flowers I told them to stay patient and wait for next season.
The owner replied that at 66 years of age, she didn’t have much time to wait for flowers. She has no choice.
Brand new Oakleaf hydrangea. It will flower next season on the wood from this season, assuming the owners don’t prune it.
This specimen was planted last year so the flowers are growing on last year’s wood. This is a common hydrangea habit.
LOVE IT!
Oak leaf hydrangeas are beautiful. I find the oak shaped leaves a nice break from regular hydrangea leaves. If you want some change, get one Oak leaf hydrangea for your garden. And if it doesn’t have any flowers, stay patient and don’t prune it.
