I have an oakleaf hydrangea, but it's in a very shady, protected location. As in protected from winds because I stuck it in the corner against two wood privacy fences. It seems to like dark. It's in heavy, sticky clay that I keep trying to make better with compost (by just tossing the compost on top of the soil--no digging).

I got it as a $3.98 pathetic-looking stick in a 1-gal. pot from Home Depot one year, but I figured why not for $3.98?

The biggest oakleaf hydrangea I've seen around here is on the East side of Fleischman Ag at UNR, also in kind of a neglected, dark corner. It would seem they like dark and neglect.

I moved my little bush a year or so ago and it got neglected and buried in sand--I thought sure it was 'done for'! Lo!..with a little water it has sprouted new growth this spring, in a shady spot between shed & house. I'm not gonna give up on it yet!!

Thanks for your reply!