Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Alice’

‘Alice’ was introduced into commerce by Michael Dirr through his Georgia Plant Introduction Program. 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). It is most noted for its large, arching flower panicles (10-14″ long), its usually disease-free foliage and its superior fall color. Large pyramidal flower panicles feature mostly sterile white flowers in June which bloom 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) turn attractive shades of bronze, maroon and purple in autumn. Mature stems exfoliate to reveal a rich brown inner bark which is attractive in winter.   (Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder)