General Culture:
Easily grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Perhaps best in part shade. Appreciates a summer mulch which helps retain soil moisture. Bloom occurs on old wood. Prune after flowering (little pruning is usually needed however). Prune out weak or winter-damaged stems in early spring. Plants should be given a sheltered location and winter protection (e.g., mulch, burlap wrap) in USDA Zone 5, particularly when not fully established. Plants can lose significant numbers of flower buds or die to the ground in harsh winters (temperatures below -10 degrees F), thus respectively impairing or totally destroying the bloom for the coming year.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
SNOW FLAKE is an oakleaf hydrangea cultivar noted for its double white flowers. It is an upright, stoloniferous, deciduous shrub with a broad rounded habit which typically grows 5-8' tall and as wide (less frequently to 12' tall in optimum growing conditions). Features large pyramidal flower panicles consisting mostly of showy sterile flowers with multiple bracts or sepals which give the panicle a double-flowered appearance. Blooms in June for 6-8 weeks, gradually fading to pink and then brown by late summer. Distinctive, deeply-lobed, somewhat coarse, deep green, oak-like leaves (to 8" long) acquire attractive shades of maroon and purple in autumn. Mature stems exfoliate to reveal a rich brown inner bark which is attractive in winter. SNOW FLAKE was introduced into cultivation in the early 1970s by Aldridge Nursery in Alabama.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to leaf blight. Aphids are occasional visitors.
Uses:
Good large specimen or accent for foundations or other locations near homes or patios. Group or mass in shrub borders or naturalize in open woodland areas. Good informal hedge.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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