Ruby Slippers Hydrangea Care, Seeds Planting And Benefits

The Ruby Slippers Hydrangea is one of the most intriguing cultivars in the oakleaf hydrangea group. Created by horticultural scientists at the U.S. National Arboretum this small shrub has transformed garden planning with its outstanding seasonal changes. 

Starting from spotless white flowers in early summer and slowly evolving into bold ruby red come mid season, the Ruby Slippers Hydrangea Care provides a long display of aesthetic appeal. Its compact stature, often only reaching a height and spread of 3 to 4 feet is the perfect choice for smaller garden plots where larger oakleaf varieties will dominate. 

What are Ruby Slippers Hydrangea?

It is a dwarf oakleaf hydrangea Hydrangea quercifolia Ruby Slippers variety that was developed by the U.S. National Arboretum. It bears big conical panicles of flowers with white flowers early in summer gradually deepening to a dark ruby red later on. 

Ruby Slippers reach a height of 3-4 feet with the same width smaller compared to most varieties of oakleaf. Ruby Slippers have lobed leaves that are like those of oak trees that turn the beautiful burgundy colors during the fall season. Ruby Slippers is prized for its incredible flower color shift, small stature and excellent drought tolerance when established.

Ruby slippers hydrangea History

The Ruby Slippers Hydrangea was bred by the United States National Arboretum/Floral and Nursery Plants Research breeding program in McMinnville Tennessee. It was introduced in 2010 as a result of crossing the dwarf Pee Wee oakleaf hydrangea with the colorfully colored Snow Queen cultivar. Plant researchers Dr. Sandra Reed and Dr. Margaret Pooler specifically bred a smaller oakleaf hydrangea with increased flower color change. 

Their successful cross resulted in this cultivar for which they have received this award. It shares the desirable traits of oakleaf hydrangeas including drought tolerance, four season interest and versatility but captures the niche for more compact flowering shrubs that are appropriate for landscapes today.

Ruby slippers hydrangea Seeds

Ruby Slippers Hydrangea is infrequently propagated from seed since it will not reproduce plants similar to the parent cultivar. This variety is largely propagated by commercial growers via vegetative means such as softwood cuttings or tissue culture to ensure its quality bushy habit, unusual change of flower color from white to ruby red and compact size. Even if it were possible to get seeds from mature Ruby Slippers flower heads.

They would likely grow unpredictable plants due to cross pollination with other hydrangeas. Growers who desire to grow Ruby Slippers Hydrangea must instead purchase mature plants from reliable nurseries rather than seed-propagation to secure the genuine cultivar with its characteristic features.

Ruby slippers hydrangea Planting and growing

Ruby Slippers Hydrangea should be grown where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade,in rich well draining soil. Plant spring or fall digging a hole twice as wide as the root ball but the same depth. Set the shrub at the same level that it was growing at in its nursery container filled with soil enriched with compost and water thoroughly. It matures and gives it regular watering about 1 inch per week via drip irrigation or soaker hoses to prevent getting leaves wet.

Mulch with a 2-3 inch layer to help retain moisture and suppress weeds keeping it a few inches from stems. There is minimal pruning needed for this hydrangea just to take off dead or broken tips in late winter when new growth begins. Fertilize lightly in the spring with an evenly balanced slow release fertilizer for flowering shrubs.

Ruby slippers hydrangea Care

Ruby Slippers Hydrangea is low maintenance after establishment. Water deeply once every week when dry, with foliage remaining dry and concentrating on the root zone. Mulch the area in the spring with a 2-3 inch depth of organic mulch to retain moisture and limit weed growth leaving some inches between mulch and stems to avoid rot. Lightly fertilize in early spring with compost tea or a slow release balanced fertilizer. 

Minimal pruning is required just to take off dead diseased branches late winter before growth starts as this variety has flowers on old wood. Contrary to the bigleaf hydrangeas, soil pH won’t influence Ruby Slippers flower color, and it will remain consistently the same under all conditions of soil. Check every now and then for typical pests such as aphids or powdery mildew and treat early with neem or horticultural oil as needed.

Ruby Slippers Hydrangea Benefits and Uses

• Compact landscaping solution for small gardens and limited spaces where traditional oakleaf varieties would be too large.
  
• Four-season visual interest with white-to-ruby blooms in summer, burgundy foliage in fall, and exfoliating bark interest in winter.
  
• Drought tolerance once established, making it suitable for water-wise gardening.
  
• Native plant cultivar supporting local ecosystem health and biodiversity.
  
• Deer-resistant qualities reduce garden damage in areas with high deer populations.
  
• Shade tolerance provides flowering options for difficult north-facing or partially shaded locations.
  
• Low maintenance requirements save time and resources compared to fussier garden plants.
  
• Cut flower source for fresh and dried arrangements with long-lasting blooms.
  
• Erosion control on slopes and banks through established root systems.
  
• Understory planting beneath larger trees where other flowering shrubs might struggle.
  
• Foundation plantings that won’t overgrow windows or walkways.

Ruby slippers hydrangea Tips And Fun Facts

• Flower preservation tip: Cut blooms when they reach peak ruby color and hang upside down in a dark dry area for stunning dried arrangements.
  
• Color intensification: Blooms develop their deepest ruby shade during cool nights in late summer.
  
• Snow display: Dried flower heads catch snowfall in winter, creating a striking natural decoration.
  
• Naming origin: The cultivar name Ruby Slippers references the famous shoes from The Wizard of Oz due to its remarkable red color.
  
• Bred in the USA: Developed at the U.S. National Arboretum as part of a national plant breeding program.
  
• Award winner: Received the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award for outstanding garden performance.
  
• Compact genetics: Contains genes from the dwarf Pee Wee and the vibrant Snow Queen oakleaf varieties.
  
• Rare seed production: Unlike many hydrangeas, oakleaf varieties like Ruby Slippers produce very few viable seeds.
  
• Native heritage: Based on Hydrangea quercifolia, one of only two hydrangea species native to North America.
  
• Symbolic meaning: In the language of flowers, hydrangeas represent heartfelt gratitude and understanding.

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Conclusions

The Ruby Slippers Hydrangea Care is a testament to horticultural art, concentrating the most sought-after qualities of oakleaf hydrangeas and then adding further virtues for the modern garden. Dense growth habits, dramatic color change in flowers, and winter interest guarantee a stunning choice for gardeners who enjoy making maximum impact in compact situations. 

Since water conservation and global warming concerns continue to become problems in landscape architecture, this native drought-tolerant cultivar offers a sustainable yet beautiful option for North American gardens. When planted as a specimen, used in shrub borders, or featured in container gardens, Ruby Slippers Hydrangea offers multi-season interest with low maintenance.

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