Snow Queen or 'Flemygea' is a cultivar of Oakleaf Hydrangea. It is a medium-sized deciduous shrub reaching a height of 6 feet and a width of 8 feet at maturity. Because blooming occurs on old wood, prune if needed immediately after flowering. Winter-damaged stems may be pruned in early spring. Harsh winter temperatures can kill flower buds. Plant in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moist well-drained soil. Its showy white flowers appear from late spring to early summer and they fade to pink as they age. The stems of this shrub are strong and remain upright even after soaking rains making this an excellent choice for a cutting garden as the flowers seldom become damaged. It received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Plant it as a specimen or accent plant near a patio or foundation. It works well in small groups, in shrub borders, as an informal hedge, or in a woodland or winter-themed garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems and resistant to many leaf diseases that plague other hydrangeas. Aphids and spider mites are occasional insect pests. Leaf blight and powdery mildew occasional disease problems. More information on Hydrangea quercifolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheHydrangea quercifoliaHydrangea quercifolia 'Alice'Hydrangea quercifolia 'Pee Wee'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Poisonous; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Green leaves up to 8" long and resemble oak leaves. Fall color of red, bronze or purple.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Good Dried; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower detail
White elongated cone-like panicles of flower fade to pink and appear from May-July. Flowers have four petals.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Bark color
Light Brown
Bark detail
Attractive exfoliating bark reveals rich inner brown color and makes for great winter interest.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio; Woodland
Landscape theme
Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#fall color bronze #fall color purple #deciduous shrub #fall color red #flowers late spring #flowers early summer #cutting garden #showy flowers #flowers mid-summer #interesting bark #specimen #white flowers #foundation planting #low maintenance #winter interest #dried arrangements #fall interest #hedge #patio #woodland #accent #shrub border #small groups #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #poisonous #poisonous if ingested
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses