Hydrangea quercifolia Munchkin

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Munchkin' is a new variety of Oakleaf Hydrangea selected in the United States for its small growth, beautiful autumn colours and lovely creamy flowers that gradually turn pink as they fade. This cultivar also stands out for its sturdy, solid and ramified structure, which withstands the weather better. Like all 'oakleafs', this hydrangea is not demanding in terms of soil and climate. Discover it today!

Hydrangea quercifolia, from the Hydrangeaceae family, is mainly native to the southwestern United States, particularly the Mississippi Valley. It is found growing on cliffs, in humid woods, ravines and on the banks of rivers, from Georgia to Louisiana, passing through Florida. It is a large deciduous shrub, which can reach 4 m (13 ft) in height in its natural habitat and widens up to 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) by producing shoots. It is characterised by large lobed leaves, the appearance of which can resemble oak leaves. It is appreciated for its superb autumn colours and its flowering which consists of large white and upright panicles composed of small powdery fertile flowers surrounded by larger fertile florets. In the garden, it is one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow: it is hardy below -20 °C (-4 °F), tolerates a little lime in the soil, and copes with heat and occasionally dry soils in summer if they are deep.

The 'Munchkin' cultivar, introduced in 2010, is the result of a selection programme carried out in the United States by the National Arboretum in McMinnville, in the state of Tennessee. It is a descendant of Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sikes Dwarf'. It stands out for its modest growth. Its habit is very rounded and dense. Its growth is rather slow for the species: it will reach around 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in all directions at the age of 10 years. On the other hand, an aged specimen can measure 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in height and 1.25 m (4 ft) in width.

One of the major attractions of this variety is its unusually coloured flowers. These begin to develop on old wood in June-July, depending on the climate, and consist of erect, pyramidal inflorescences, 14 to 16 cm (5.5 to 6.3 in) long. Each is composed in the centre of small creamy white fertile flowers with prominent stamens contrasting with large, star-shaped fertile flowers. At the end of the season, these inflorescences turn pink, then pink to violet-pink, depending on the nature of the soil, forming a beautiful decoration on the autumn foliage. Its young spring and summer leaves are covered with a whitish down in spring. They unfold into large 15 cm (5.9 in) dark green leaves cut into 5 deep lobes, with roughly dentate edges. At the end of summer, they take on fantastic red shades, from burgundy to mahogany, before falling in October.

The Munchkin oakleaf hydrangea likes slightly sunny exposures that enhance its autumn colours, dappled light filtered through the foliage of trees or even shade in a hot climate. It is used in mass planting, as a standalone in a small garden or at the bend of a path, in a small free hedge or even in a pot on the terrace. It can be combined with other hydrangeas, but also with Nandinas, Mexican oranges, Purple Berberis, Physocarpus, or even silver candles which, like it, appreciate partial shade. It will be absolutely superb when paired with amaranths (Amaranthus Velvet Curtains) and hastate verbenas (Verbena hastata Rosea).