'Ruby Slippers' oakleaf hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a popular native shrub in the Southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). Two new compact forms of oakleaf hydrangea were recently introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum.

In early summer, ‘Ruby Slippers’ is covered with 9-inch-long floral clusters that are held upright above the foliage. ‘Ruby Slippers’ grows to about 3 ½ feet tall and 5 feet wide and has large creamy white flower panicles that mature to a deep rose color in late summer. ‘Munchkin’ is slightly smaller at 3 feet tall and 4 ½ feet wide, and 6 ½ inch long white flowers age to a medium pink color. Both cultivars grow in either light shade or full sun.

Their compact form and dense plant habit make it ideally suited for use in small residential landscapes. The new light green foliage in spring turns dark green in summer and mahogany-red in fall. Both are ideal specimen shrubs planted either individually or together as a lovely deciduous hedge row.

 ‘Ruby Slippers’ and ‘Munchkin’ were developed by Dr. Sandra Reed, plant breeder at the U.S. National Arboretum Research Lab, located at the Tennessee State University Nursery Research Center in McMinnville, TN.