The oak leafed hydrangea has to be one of the most beautiful of the hydrangeas and also one of the most beautiful shrubs.  In my garden in Wandsworth my hydrangea has sat in a reasonably difficult corner of my garden and has quietly climbed up to quite a height (well over 6 foot) and has produced the most incredible pendulous flowers year after year.   They can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in  white clusters which turn a soft brown in autumn.  They seem to be able to take quite shady, dry conditions but equally will handle quite a bit of afternoon sun.  Keep well watered however.

My hydrangea earlier in the summer

Hydrangea quercifolia

Hydrangea quercifolia

My hydrangea mid summer

Hydrangea quercifolia

Hydrangea quercifolia

My hydrangea early in the Autumn

Hydrangea quercifolia

Hydrangea quercifolia

My hydrangea late September

Hydrangea quercifolia

And now (at the end of September) it’s really showing off – the leaves are going red!

Hydrangea quercifolia