Virtually ALL oakleaf hydrangeas turn a pinkish red color as the flowers age. Ruby Slippers just turns a darker reddish color than most but for the majority of the season, the flowers will be white. Also, the foliage has more intense fall coloration as well.

Both Sike's Dwarf and Munchkin are smaller than RS and while the flowers age to pinky red tones as well, they are not as deeply colored as RS.

"Best plave to get answers like this are form the garden center where you bought the plants."

Unfortunately, that is not at all true. The knowledge base of nursery workers, many of which are merely seasonal, can be minimal as well as extensive. It all depends.

Thanks, Gardengal. That was helpful. It tends to be hit or miss with garden center people. I did research this online, but not a lot of info. So I was hoping to hear from a few people who had actually grown them.

Just a FWIW - I grew RS for a couple of seasons at a previous garden before moving and while the flowers did turn color late in the season, they never developed into the full red you see in photos. But the fall leaf color was spectacular!

Are the shrubs you are thinking of replacing oakleafs?

The reason I'm asking is that the denizens of the New England Forum have decided that oakleaf hydrangeas are not zone 5 plants. YMMV with hotter summers.

Mad_gallica, the plants I want to replace are old burning bushes. Every few years I have to cut them back. The ideal replacement would be less upright and stiff looking. Smaller shrubs would fit better in the area.

I've had a full size 'Alice' oakleaf hydrangea for at least 3 years on the east side of the house, and it's doing fine, so I think the zone will be OK.

Thanks for the comments. I think this idea will work.

The amount of pink time I obtained from RS was limited down in Texas in dappled sun under a tree. I feels like the pink lasted about a week or less maybe. If I was busy, I would miss it. Maybe research the not dwarf but so much bigger variety called Gatsby Pink. About 6-8' at maturity (for another spot).

I was looking for something low maintenance to fill in behind my sunroom windows – facing about due east – mostly shaded all day. I didn’t want plants that would overgrow the windows (much). I put in 3 ‘Ruby Slippers’, I think in 2022. I am not real good with color – but in July 2024 they looked ‘Ruby’. I don’t have any photos post 2024.

June 17,2023

July 24,2023

July 26, 2024

July 26, 2024

Very nice. My RS failed to have long lived pink blooms.

Hi Luis & Nancy – the RS have survived the winter – I don’t remember how long they held the ‘ruby’ color last year – I’ll pay more attention this year and try to take some more pics later in the season and post.

Thanks to the dogs - there will be one less Ruby Slipper this year.

Raymond, thank you for the pictures. Just now, I was searching for dwarf oakleafs again and discovered a new one called 'Gatsby Glow Ball'. This sounds like it may be the answer to my dilemma. Small, dense, and large white flowers that turn lime green instead of red! I'll have to look into this more after I get back from an upcoming trip.