June Plants of the Month: Neillia sinensis – Chinese Neillia 

An uncommon shrub in the residential landscape, Neillia sinensis deserves a prominent place where its refined foliage and showy pink flowers can be seen up close.

The pink flowers appear in 1 to 2 1⁄2” long racemes in late May on long arching branches and are attractive to hummingbirds.

Typically reaching a mature size of 5 to 6’ tall and wide, this shrub has a roundish habit and is an easy care, trouble-free plant, preferring well drained soils, and either part shade or full sun conditions.

Flowers are produced on old wood so it’s best to prune immediately after flowering.

As the plant matures with age, the stems develop an attractive brown exfoliating bark, a nice addition to the winter landscape.

This plant is suitable as a specimen in a mixed border, or for mass plantings. Hardy to zone 6

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Hydrangea quercifolia – Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea is an upright, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub in the Hydrangeaceae (hydrangea) family. While this family of flowering shrubs is widely distributed in Asia and North America, this particular species is native to the Southeastern United States, where it prefers moist woods and stream banks. The straight species (many cultivars have been introduced – see below) will grow 8 feet in height, or more, and 6 to 8 feet in width. The species epithet indicates the resemblance of its leaves to that of the oak tree (Quercus)

Oakleaf hydrangea grows best in organically rich, well-drained soils with medium moisture. It does well in full sun to part shade. Add a layer of mulch in the summer to keep the soil moist. The plant does need some sun to bloom, usually from mid spring to early summer. Because blooming occurs on old wood, prune if needed immediately after flowering. Winter damaged stems may be pruned in early spring.

The white blooms are arranged in pyramidal clusters that are very showy. Even when they are not in bloom, the large dark green leaves provide a striking shape. The plant’s more mature branches have an interesting texture when exfoliated in winter.

Oakleaf hydrangea is drought tolerant and seldom damaged by deer. It may spread by root suckers to form colonies if suckers are not promptly removed.

Oakleaf hydrangea’s unique features make it highly suitable as a specimen or accent plant in the landscape. Alternatively, in large open spaces it may be massed or arranged as an informal hedge.

Numerous smaller sized white blooming cultivars are available, including ‘Alice,’ ‘Snow Flake,’ ‘Snow Queen,’ ‘Pee Wee,’ ‘Sikes Dwarf.’