Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'

Dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea

A unique plant with attractive flower panicles and coarse, handsome foliage. 'Pee Wee' is an excellent compact cultivar (up to 3' high and wide) that has smaller leaves and flower panicles than the species type. Tops (including flower buds formed in fall) can die back when winter temperatures go much below – 20 degrees F (often in Zone 6b and colder). Flowers form on previous season's growth. Thus, no flowers will appear in the years when the tops are killed. May be best used for foliage effect in cold areas. Not very drought tolerant. Spreads by stolons forming colonies, although 'Pee Wee' suckers less than the straight species. Unusually coarse texture makes this plant difficult to use in some combinations. Winter killed branches need removal.