Hydrangea quercifolia Tara

The Hydrangea quercifolia Tara 'BIV01' is a variety of oakleaf hydrangea with abundant and dense double-flower panicles with a unique texture. They appear from August onwards, initially green-white and then white. Its beautiful, ample and cut foliage turns bronze and red in autumn. It is a compact selection with solid stems, tolerant of heat, suitable for full sun or partial shade, and adapts to most deep soils.

The Hydrangea quercifolia, from the hydrangea family, is mainly native to the southwestern United States, particularly the Mississippi Valley. It is a large deciduous shrub, reaching a height of 4m (13ft) in its natural habitat and spreading by producing suckers up to 3.50m (11ft) wide. It is characterized by large lobed leaves, which resemble oak leaves. It is appreciated for its superb autumn colours and flowering in large, upright, white panicles composed of small, powdery fertile flowers surrounded by larger sterile florets. In the garden, it is one of the easiest hydrangeas to grow: it is hardy below -20°C (1°F), tolerates some limestone in the soil, and withstands heat and dry soils in summer thanks to its deep rooting.

The Hydrangea quercifolia Tara 'BIV01' is a cultivar selected by Tara Bivin of PDSI (USA). This shrub forms a compact clump with moderate growth, reaching approximately 1.20m (4ft) in all directions at age 10. Its pretty white, slightly curved panicle flowers, 20-25cm (8-10in) long, have a touch of aniseed white. They appear in August and remain beautiful until October. The foliage is deciduous, forming in spring and falling around November. The buds and young leaves are covered with a greyish velvet. The medium to dark green summer foliage comprises large leaves divided into five deep lobes with roughly toothed edges. Towards the end of the season, it takes on beautiful red and bronze hues as the nights cool down.

The Hydrangea quercifolia Tara 'BIV01' is an accommodating hydrangea variety: it tolerates slightly limestone, ordinary, moist to dry soils. Sunlight enhances its beautiful autumn colours, but light shade allows it to take hot climates better. It can be used in borders, as a solitary specimen in a small garden, or in a large pot. Pair it with shrubs with colourful foliage, late-flowering perennials, or evergreen shrubs like Nandina. Also consider purple Berberis, the deciduous winged Euonymus alatus Compactus, which turns bright pink in autumn. Maples and dogwoods are other colourful foliage shrubs to consider. The Verbena hastata Rosea, with its upright spike-like flower heads, also make a beautiful companion.