Gatsby Moon Oakleaf Hydrangea
Large Pure White Double Flowers
We’re over the moon about this glowing white hydrangea!
Gatsby Moon® (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Brother Edward’ Gatsby Moon®) is a cultivar of the oakleaf hydrangea, an upright, irregularly shaped deciduous shrub grown for its four seasons of interest - striking spring and summer flowers, rich fall color, and beautiful exfoliating bark. Oakleaf hydrangeas are native to the moist woods and stream banks of the Southeastern United States and grow well in zones 5-9. The Gatsby Moon® cultivar was developed specifically for its bold summer flowers held atop sturdy stems. Large, dense, tightly packed double flowers emerge a pure, glowing white in early summer, turning green as the season progresses. In autumn, the lobed, oak-like leaves turn rich burgundy red. After the leaves are shed, cinnamon-colored exfoliating bark provides winter interest in the landscape. Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangea can be expected to reach a mature size of 6-8 feet tall and wide, and can be quite long-lived for a shrub, reaching 50 years of age when given proper care and siting.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are relatively easy to grow. They prefer moist, rich soil in full sun to partial shade. Established plants can tolerate some drought (Are you in a drought? Check the U.S. Drought Monitor). These slow to moderate growers appreciate a layer of mulch to keep their roots cool. Deer will occasionally eat oakleaf hydrangeas, especially the tender new leaf tips that emerge in early spring.
Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood and look their best with minimal pruning. If needed, prune in mid-summer when flowering has finished. Dried flower heads remain on the plant, adding visual interest to the fall and winter garden. Oakleaf hydrangeas are easy to grow and generally disease and insect free. On occasion they may be bothered by aphids, spider mites or powdery mildew.
How to Plant and Grow Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangea
Location: Choose a site with moist, fertile, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade - oakleaf hydrangeas need some sun to bloom.
Planting: The best time of year to plant a Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangea is in the spring or fall, giving the roots time to establish before the onset of extreme hot or cold weather. Water deeply, immediately after planting.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first two growing seasons. Though oakleaf hydrangeas are drought tolerant once established, they prefer moist soil and benefit from regular watering, particularly during dry periods (See “How to Water Your Plants” for help in determining a watering schedule).
Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Pruning: Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangea blooms on old wood and looks its best with minimal pruning. If needed, prune in mid-summer when flowering has finished. Avoid pruning in late summer, fall, or winter, as you risk removing next year’s flower buds.
Fertilizing: In springtime, apply a top dressing of compost, leaf mold, or Leaf-gro® to the soil around your oakleaf hydrangea. This will help to create the rich, fertile soil these shrubs love.
Landscape Design Ideas for Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangea
Specimen or accent plant: A Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangeas make a great stand-alone specimen or accent plant. Its large, full flowers will be the star of your summer garden.
Woodland’s edge: Soften the transition from lawn to forest with a row of Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangeas.
Mixed Border: Create a mixed border planting by combining Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangeas with other flowering shrubs and perennials. Keep in mind this hydrangea will reach a mature size of 6-8 feet tall and wide, so plan accordingly.
Mass planting: For a dramatic effect, group multiple Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangeas together in a mass planting. This works well in larger garden spaces and can make a bold statement.
Informal hedge: A row of Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangeas can soften the look of a backyard fence or chain-link fence, or can be used to delineate property lines.
Why isn’t my Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangea Blooming?
If a once thriving Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangea stops blooming, it could be due to improper pruning, insufficient sunlight, and over-fertilization:
Improper pruning: Oakleaf hydrangeas set their flower buds on old wood. Prune oakleaf hydrangeas in mid-summer, when flowering has finished for the year. If you prune in late summer, fall, or winter, you will cut off the buds for next year’s flowers and the shrub will not bloom. Better yet, just leave these plants alone - they don’t need much pruning, except for dead or dying branches.
Insufficient sunlight: Oakleaf hydrangeas grow in full sun to partial shade, meaning they require at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day to flower. Direct morning sun and afternoon shade work best. If your plant has too much shade, it will not flower.
Over-fertilization: An excess of nitrogen from fertilizer will result in lush foliage growth but no flowers. Oakleaf hydrangeas generally do not require fertilizing. Instead, spread compost, leaf mold or Leafgro® around the base of your plant each spring to create the rich, fertile soil these shrubs love.
Should Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangea Be Cut Back in the Fall?
Gatsby Moon® oakleaf hydrangeas should not be cut back in the fall. If you cut back or prune an oakleaf hydrangea in the fall, winter, or spring, you will cut off the buds that will become next year’s flowers and the shrub will not bloom.
Oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood and look their best with minimal pruning. If needed, prune in mid-summer when flowering has finished. Dried flower heads can be left to remain on the plant through fall and winter, providing interest in the winter landscape.
Are Oakleaf Hydrangeas Poisonous to Dogs?
All Oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia), including the Gatsby Moon® cultivar, contain compounds that can be toxic to dogs if ingested, specifically cyanogenic glycosides. These compounds can release cyanide when broken down in the digestive system. However, the level of toxins in oakleaf hydrangeas are relatively low, and instances of dogs getting poisoned by consuming these plants are rare.
While the risk of severe poisoning is low, it’s important to monitor your dog's behavior in outdoor spaces. If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic plant, seek immediate veterinary care or contact the Pet Poison Hotline (read “Which Plants are Toxic to Dogs” for more information).
Do Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangeas Spread? Are Gatsby Moon® Oakleaf Hydrangeas Invasive?
Oakleaf hydrangeas, including Gatsby Moon®, are not classified as an invasive plant in the United States. They are native to the southeastern part of the country, where they can be found growing in moist woodlands and along stream banks. Oakleaf hydrangeas are planted widely in urban and suburban landscapes, and do not cause harm to the environment, humans, animals, nor the economy.
Oakleaf hydrangeas are generally well-behaved plants and do not seed aggressively. They will spread by stolons, sending up new shoots and forming a colony over time. If you notice your oakleaf hydrangea sending up new shoots from the ground in spring, it means you have a happy plant. Well done!