Toy Soldier™ Hydrangea

For a charming floral look, with exciting fall colors, you can’t beat the oakleaf hydrangea. These hydrangeas are often overlooked, but they are marvelous plants, tolerating much more sun, heat, humidity and dryness than any other type of hydrangea. The Toy Soldier™ Oakleaf Hydrangea is an improved variety with strong, upright flowers that are open and light, with large white flowers scattered among fluffy green ones. It blooms in early summer and the flowers last for weeks and weeks. The unique lobed leaves have a slightly fuzzy feel, and turn wonderful shades of reds, purples, oranges and golds in fall, something no other hydrangea can offer. This variety is more compact too, no more than 5 feet tall, and is great for mixed shrub beds, an informal hedge, or for more natural, woodland settings. Plus, it’s native to North America.

• Early blooming, with upright spikes of white and green flowers
• Large, lobed leaves turn wonderful fall colors of reds, oranges and purples
• Tolerant of sun, heat, humidity and some dryness
• Perfect choice for shrub beds and natural gardens
• A selection of a North American native plant

The Toy Soldier™ Oakleaf Hydrangea enjoys more sun than other hydrangeas, but will appreciate some afternoon shade in hot zones. Plant it in a rich, well-drained soil that isn’t too dry, and mulch over the roots to conserve moisture. Water regularly the first season, but after that it is more drought tolerant than other hydrangeas are. Not eaten by deer, this variety has excellent resistance to unsightly leaf spot diseases, and isn’t bothered by other pests. Remove spent flower heads when they become unsightly, and any weak branches, but otherwise no pruning is needed or recommended, as it can easily prevent flowering.