- Author: Jenni Dodini
I had a wonderful dinner in Napa for my birthday. One of the nicest parts of the meal was the ambiance of the patio seating. The entryway was lined with oak leaf hydrangea. Like most of the patrons, I had to touch and smell the simply beautiful flower clusters that were at least 6 inches long!
Once I got home I had to look them up on-line, then in the Sunset Western Garden Book. On-line, I felt like Fairfield would not be an inviting climate for them as Napa is generally much cooler, especially on the riverfront where I found them. The Western Garden Book gave me more hope for success. Although they are native to the south-eastern U.S., they will grow in Sunset zones 2b - 23. (We are in zone 14) They are classed as a shrub although the ones that I saw formed an arbor over the walkway. They will grow 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. They bloom in late spring to early summer in elongated clusters of white to pale pink. The oak-shaped leaves turn bronze to crimson in the fall. (I feel another dinner on the riverfront in my future!) There are 3 varieties of the full size and also dwarf varieties. Imagine my surprise when I found 'Pee Wee' on a recent trip to Lemuria's in Dixon. I was told that this particular variety does well in both sun and partial shade. I hope so because that plant would not leave me alone until I bought it.