Oakleaf Hydrangea Alice vs Snow Queen (Differences and Similarities)

When you look  at Oakleaf Hydrangea Alice and Snow Queen, you may see that those plants are the same and even you are not able to differentiate both of them. Here, we will help you to be able to differentiate between these plants by giving the differences and similarities of both.

The differences between Alice vs Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea

Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea is a smaller version of Alice. So, no wonder why they have the same forms and even sometimes people cannot differentiate between these plants. Below, we have some explanation about the difference between Alice and Snow Queen in some points including flowers, habit, hardiness and cultivation.

Flowers

Both of these plants bloom from late spring through midsummer. The flowers will begin in a white color and then it will mature to pink when it is towards fall. For Snow Queen, the blooms are about 8 inch long and it will turn a darker pink and even almost purple. Also, the plant flowers are more profusely.

Habit

How about the habit of each plant? Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea can grow until 15 feet tall and the wide is in a rounded shape. The flower cones of Alice can reach 1 foot long. Different from Snow Queen which was introduced in 1979, it is a more garden friendly size. Snow Queen can grow until 6 by 8 feet. In fall, the foliage of both plants will turn red.

Hardiness

Alice and Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea are deciduous shrubs which can live in US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 9. For the gardeners in USDA zone 5, they need to protect new plants with burlap wraps in the first few winters.

Cultivation

Half a day of direct sun is needed by Oakleaf Hydrangeas. However, you have to protect them from the hot afternoon sun. If you want to plant them, you are able to do that in acidic soil which is changed half and half with rich compost and mulch the roots to make them cool and moist. Through the dry months, it is good for you to soak the plant weekly.

More About Oakleaf Hydrangea Alice

Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea is included in tall varieties together with Alison and Harmony. It is 12′ tall by 12′ wide. You can choose this for larger gardens which can handle a shrub this size. Alice will produce large white flowers and then it will become tan in late summer. In the year 2000, Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea won the State Botanical Garden of Georgia gold medal award.

Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea is one of the biggest of the Oakleaf varieties. It is unique because of its month to month visual interest. If you are looking for an interesting plant that you can grow from season to season, you can choose Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea.

This hydrangea has a unique shape where it will bloom in white and pink when they mature. The large leaves have rich purple and red hues in autumn. The winter texture which is interesting on the branches arises when the cold weather and it will give you benefits that last year-round.

If you want to plant Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea, you have to choose an area with full sun to partial shade. It can grow easily in soil which is originally-rich which is moist but well drained. To plant it, you can dig a hole deep enough to cover its root ball. Then, if you have put your plant, you have to tamp down the soil while backfilling to avoid air pockets. Do not forget to water it to settle the soil that surrounds the roots.

During the first full growing season, you need to water deeply and regularly. So, the root system will be well – established. You can check the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to test when and how much to water. If you find that it is dry, you can water now until it is moist. In the drought, you can water it twice in a week.

How about the fertilization of Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea? You can fertilize it regularly during the growing season. It can help it to build and thrive in your landscape.

If needed, prune can be done soon after flowering. In early spring, any winter damaged stems may be pruned. You can also do some additional pruning to have a good shape.

More About Oakleaf Hydrangea Snow Queen

Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea is included in medium-size varieties. This plant is 6′ tall by 6′ wide. This plant holds its single-flowered inflorescences more upright than other cultivars. Besides, it can handle sunnier areas. Snow Queen won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

Besides Snow Queen, the other Oakleaf Hydrangeas which are also in the medium size are Amethyst, Gatsby Gal, Gatsby Moon, Gatsby Pink, Queen of Hearts, and Snowflake.

This cultivare can produce 8 inch long conical flower heads. This flower is popular for its distinct, deeply lobed leaves and also its reliably showy and creamy blooms. The foliage of this plant can generate interesting fall color. The flowers take on purplish pink hues when it is dried.

This shrub is native to the southeastern US where this plant is found growing along stream banks. The flowers can be good for cutting and drying. How about the care of this plant? This plant is adaptable to full sun if it gets enough moisture. Also, it needs a little bit pruning.

How about the propagation of Snow Queen Oakleaf Hydrangea? You can sow seed in a cold frame in spring. You are able to take softwood cuttings in early summer and hardwood cuttings in winter.

Are there any problems with this plant? The problems which you may encounter in this plant are slugs, gray mold, powdery mildew, ringspot virus, rust and leaf spots.

For Landscape use, you can use it as border, hedge, mass planting, specimen, woodland garden, urban garden, cutting garden or firescaping or fire wise.