Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Alice'

An Oakleaf Hydrangea of distinction, ‘Alice’ has been admired for generations. The tall, white flower panicles (20-40cm) turn pink, then bronze as the cool weather sets in.

The handsome, large leaves turn to burgundy and crimson before retiring for the season. A strong plant that improves year on year. The leaves grow to around 20cm across. After they fall in winter, they reveal the fine-looking stems.

This large shrub has a nice, upright habit and will grow 1-2.5m tall and across. The blooms begin around December and last up to eight weeks, changing colour as they age. After the colourful autumn show, the leaves fall to reveal the handsome structure of the deep brown bark.

It has good cold tolerance as they flower on new wood so are not bothered by late season frosts.

Hydrangeas grow best when planted in a sheltered position of the garden where the roots are cool and moist. If you add plenty of organic matter to the soil and you will be rewarded with masses of stunning blooms.

Hydrangea flowers are good for picking. To help make the flowers last longer, bring a bucket of water out with you to the garden, plunge them in as soon as you have cut the stem. Once you are inside, cut them again (cut the stem on an angle so it has more surface area and doesn’t’ sit on the bottom of the vase) and hold them in hot, boiled water for 30 seconds before arranging in a vase. If it starts to wilt, you can plunge it into a bath – they can rehydrate through the petals, stems and flowers.