A Hydrangea with Fabulous Fall Foliage

Gatsby Pink® oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a gorgeous native variety with long-lasting blooms and distinctive foliage that combine to create a striking landscape display. Its visual appeal matures throughout the year with a dynamic and dramatic color story that makes it just as interesting in the fall as it is in summer!

Gatsby Pink hydrangea emerges with bright white flowers against green oak-like leaves. These lace-cap blooms turn a dark pink, which persists through the summer, before the foliage takes on deep mahogany-purple tones in autumn. This shift in the color palette brings depth and richness to the landscape, and at 6-8′ tall and wide, its larger frame works nicely as a showy border plant, screen, or tall hedge.

Gatsby Pink hydrangea thrives in USDA zones 5-9. It is a shade-tolerant variety but benefits from some sun to produce its best flowers and striking fall color. As an oakleaf hydrangea, it is relatively hardy and low maintenance. It doesn’t require anything real specific in terms of soil, but you should try to plant it where it is both moist and drains easily. The color of Gatsby Pink hydrangea is not influenced by soil pH; you will always get bright white flowers that mature to a dark pink.

Gatsby Pink hydrangea has flowers that form on old wood, so pruning is not recommended. Feel free to remove dead or damaged wood at any time.

Designing a Landscape for Fall

For most of my life, I never really cared much for fall, mainly because it meant summer (my favorite season) was over. I have recently, however, started to appreciate the beauty and changes that come with the shift in seasons, specifically in relation to landscapes. While I’ve always loved the color change in trees, there is so much more visual interest that fall can bring, especially if you have the right plants in your garden.

Looking for inspiration or perhaps some guidance? Kristina offers helpful suggestions and plant recommendations in her article “6 Interesting Fall Plant Combos.” With a focus on texture, shade tolerance, deer resistance, unique colors, bird-friendliness, and native plants, you can find the perfect combination that is just right for you and your space.