The Plant Guide

Browse the Full Plant Guide

‘Little Honey’ oakleaf hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’

Oakleaf hydrangeas are already one of my favorite shrubs: They are tough and reliable; have great foliage, flowers, and fall color; and provide stems of dried flowers in winter. Just when I thought they could not get any better, chartreuse-foliaged ‘Little Honey’ came along. Creamy white flowers appear in summer, then dry on the plant for months of show. ‘Little Honey’ rarely requires pruning, besides some thinning or shaping. To brighten the shade even more, plant hot pink or orange flowers and bright purple-foliaged tropicals nearby. —Irvin Etienne, Fine Gardening #147

Noteworthy CharacteristicsBright foliage, touch plant, and amazing fall color. Needs little pruning.

CareHappiest in partial shade, 'Little Honey' will tolerate some sun. Give it moist, fertile, well-drained soil.

PropagationSow seed in a cold frame in spring; take softwood cuttings in early summer, hardwood cuttings in winter.

ProblemsLeaf-spotting fungal disease may strike, but it is very much nonthreatening.

  • Genus : Hydrangea
  • Plant Height : 3 to 6 feet
  • Plant Width : 3 to 6 feet
  • Zones : 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
  • Foliage Color : Chartreuse
  • Tolerance : Drought Tolerant
  • Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Maintenance : Low
  • Moisture : Medium Moisture
  • Growth Rate : Moderate
  • Characteristics : Showy Fall Foliage, Showy Foliage
  • Plant Type : Shrubs
  • Bloom Time : Summer
  • Plant Seasonal Interest : Summer Interest
  • Flower Color : White

Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members

Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.

Start Free Trial

Related Plants

Related Articles

More From the Plant Guide

Winter Interest

Partial Shade

Browse the Full Plant Guide