Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea

Plant in spring or fall in moist, well-drained soil in partial shade, spacing 4–5 feet apart. Ruby Slippers is a compact oakleaf hydrangea with exceptional qualities: white flowers that age to a deep, vivid rose-red — more intensely colored than most oakleaf hydrangeas. The large, bold, oakleaf-shaped foliage turns striking shades of burgundy in fall. Incorporate compost and water well.

Prune lightly right after flowering in summer if shaping is needed — oakleaf hydrangea blooms on old wood, so heavy pruning removes next year's buds. Remove dead wood in early spring. Keep soil consistently moist. Fertilize lightly in spring. The peeling, cinnamon-colored bark provides attractive winter interest. Ruby Slippers' compact size makes it one of the most garden-friendly oakleaf hydrangeas for smaller spaces.