Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangeas - Planted in Back - May 2022

Yesterday, I posted a couple of photos showing the location of the Little Honey Oakleaf Hydrangeas that we bought at the Morton Arboretum and planted in the backyard (southside bed, understory of the secondary Northern Red Oak tree).   I also bought two MORE Oakleaf Hydrangeas from the sale - Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangeas - that are also planted (now) in our backyard.  This time, however, they are in the northside bed.  These Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangas (Hydrangea Quercifolia) are MUCH darker green than the Little Honey variety, but like the Little Honey, these maintain a compact form of under five feet tall.  

Last year, when I moved the Alice Oakleaf Hydrangeas out from the fence, I moved ONE of them over to the south bed - in between the Harry Lauder Walking Stick tree and the Weeping Nootka Falsecypress tree.   The plan calls for three flowering shrubs planted in a cluster here and that's why I brought home two Ruby Slippers shrubs from the Morton Arboretum Sale.  

Here, below, is where they're planted:

And here (below) is an annotated version of the photo showing the location of the Dawn Redwood tree, the (recently transplanted) Nocture Lilacs, the existing Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea and the (recently planted) Green Giant Thujas planted against the fence.

The Alice Oakleaf Hydrangea is still (currently) wrapped in chicken wire (because of the dang rabbits!), so I'll watch these two closely to see if they get feasted on by those pests. 

I saw these Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea Quercifolia 'Ruby Slippers') at Hinsdale Nursery (sign below) where they talk about it being:  "rounded growth habit", "Creamy White Flowers" and preferring "light shade".  This spot (in our backyard) has the MOST sun of any 'slice' of beds back there, so I'm hoping these find the right amount of light and grow up fast.

The description also talks about the four-season interest - Summer flowers, Fall color and tan flowerheads all Winter.  #2 on my list for 2022 was to add some four-season interest.  This helps check that box.  

And, of course, #1 on my list was to add shrubs.  To date (this year), I've added:

Six upright evergreens - Green Giant Thujas.  Technically trees.  So, those don't count, right?

Four treeform Doublefile Viburnum.

Four transplanted Lilacs.  

Three Little Honey Hydrangeas. 

And now Two Ruby Slippers Hydrangeas.

Not counting the Thujas, that makes: nine new flowering shrubs and four transplanted flowering shrubs.

My original plan called for:  

I have three dwarf shrubs for in front of the Belgian Fence.  A few more Arrowwood Viburnum back behind the trampoline.  The three (maybe 2?) Tardiva Hydrangeas where I dug out the Lilacs, and a bunch of upright evergreens.  

Refined Shrub need list remaining for 2022:

• 3 (maybe 2?) Tardiva Hydrangea for Lilac Replacement Area.
• 3 dwarf flowering shrubs for in front of Belgian Fence - Hydrangeas likely.
• 1 Climbing Hydrangea for firepit.
• 3-6 upright evergreens - firepit - combo of transplants and new additions.
• 3 larger upright evergreens - behind Little Honey Hydrangea.
• 2 Arrowwood Viburnum - behind Trampoline on back Fence.
• 3 Boxwoods - IB2DWs bed under trees.
• 6-8 Boxwoods under Lindens. Maybe a combo of round and upright.
• 3 Boxwoods along garage bed.

That list doesn't appear to be shrinking, but instead....growing.