Toy Soldier™ Oakleaf Hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia 'Bocotoso'

Bloomin' Easy®

Shrub

$84⁰⁸

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This hydrangea performs best in at least 6 hours of direct morning sun. While it tolerates partial shade in the afternoon, providing ample light ensures the foliage turns a deep mahogany-red in the fall rather than a duller brown.
Soil: It thrives in rich, well-drained soil that mimics a forest floor. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised mound or add compost to improve drainage, as "wet feet" will quickly lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, provide 1 inch of water per week to help the deep root system establish. Once mature, this variety is surprisingly drought-tolerant compared to other hydrangeas, though inconsistent watering during summer heat will result in smaller flower panicles and drooping leaves.

Pruning Tips

Because this shrub blooms on "old wood," you should only prune it immediately after the flowers fade in mid-summer. Avoid pruning in winter or early spring, as you will accidentally cut off the buds that were set the previous year. Think of it like a light haircut to maintain its upright shape or to remove dead stems, which allows the plant to focus energy on new growth.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as the new leaves begin to emerge. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this encourages tender new growth that can be easily damaged by the first frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6	Week of March 2nd
Zone 7	Week of February 23rd
Zone 8-12	Week of February 15th

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Small but strong, introducing the Blooming Easy® Toy Soldier™ Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia 'Bocotoso') now at Nature Hills! With big oak-leaf-shaped foliage and airy round panicles of green and white blooms, Toy Soldier™ stands straight and sturdy.

An improved version of the hardy native, the big round-petalled white blooms form on rounded bunches of green buds that match their green foliage that's quilted with pointed lobed leaves! Then they transform into gorgeous vermillion red, maroon, or even purplish in the fall.

These improved deciduous cultivars are hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 9 and grow to a nice, rounded 4-5 foot tall and wide ball of green texture! The butterflies will arrive in swarms to check out these blooms that remain on the plant from summer and into the fall! The dried blossoms even add winter interest!

Planting and Application:

Line a row of neat and tidy Toy Soldiers™ up along a fenceline or your home's foundation for a lovely and lively hedge! Space them 3-4 feet apart for a close privacy hedge, or loosen their spacing to create an informal screen that hides eyesores and blocks nosy neighbors. Sturdy enough for being their own living fence, snow-blocking barrier, or backdrop to other garden beds, you'll love the blooms and fall color this Oakleaf Hydrangea lends to the landscape!

A single flowering shrub is a mighty and colorful flowering specimen, while groupings become bird-friendly havens! Anchor a garden bed or soften the corners of a garage with these versatile and easy-to-grow sentries! Looking great without being pruned and manicured, add to mixed shrub hedges for flowers and fall color! Don't forget to snip a few blooms for your vases indoors too!

Airy White & Green Panicles
Textured Green Lobed Foliage
Vibrant Vermillion Red Fall Color!
Butterfly Friendly!
Hedges, Backdrops, Specimens, Accents & Anchors

#ProPlantTips For Care

Oakleaf Hydrangea handles almost all soil types, as long as they are well-drained and never sitting in water. Toy Soldier™ does fine in both full sun or part shade, favoring morning sun, In the south, it appreciates afternoon shade and in the north, it prefers protection from the coldest winds. Plant in soil that's well-drained and enriched with regular moderate moisture access. Mulch the root system 3-4 inches deep to help maintain moderate yet consistent moisture all growing season. Quercifolia Hydrangeas blooms on old growth, so prune right after it finishes blooming in late summer.

Full Sun & Partial Shade
Moist Soil & Arborist Mulch
Prune Oakleaf Hydrangeas After Bloom Fade
Any Well-Drained Soil
Bloom Color Isn't pH-Sensitive

Sturdy sentries with vivid fall color and bee-friendly, the Blooming Easy® Toy Soldier™ Oakleaf Hydrangea will boost your landscape on a grand scale without sacrificing space! Order yours today at NatureHills.com!

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Good

Good service

Hi there, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review on our Elizabeth Ashley Bigleaf Hydrangea. We are delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with our service. We greatly appreciate your support! Thanks again - Nature Hills Customer Support

Let’s dance Moonlight bloom regularly - blue

Let’s dance Moonlight have bloomed regularly for about 10 yrs now against the house, mostly north exposure. Originally pink flowers when purchased but transitioned to purple and now blue in our soil. 3’ in ht. When nearby grass was limed they reverted to pinkish purple then back to mostly blue. We are zone 6b and with recent Very hot dry summers they wilt with the brief afternoon sun they get. Unfortunate. May have to consider moving them if these conditions continue every year. Otherwise very pleased with them

Hi there, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a lovely review! It sounds like you've done a great job with your Bigleaf hydrangeas. ‘Let’s Dance Moonlight’ are happiest with morning sun and afternoon shade, consistently moist (not soggy) soil, and a 2–3' mulch to keep roots cool; if the brief afternoon sun keeps stressing them, consider moving them in fall/early spring to a spot with dappled light. Thanks again - Nature Hills Customer Support

I saw some bad reviews of this company after I ordered and got nervous

I saw some bad reviews of this company after I ordered and got nervous. I recieved a beautiful plant. Packaged wonderfully It definitely would have been my fault if it died. It is the end of the growing season so its not putting out a bunch of new growth, but it still looks very healthy.

Hi there, Thank you for taking a chance on us despite your initial concerns! We are thrilled that your experience exceeded expectations and appreciate you sharing your honest feedback. Reviews like yours help other hesitant customers buy with confidence. Thank you - Nature Hills Customer Support

it looks like its going to be a strong grower

it looks like its going to be a strong grower. it has big branches. hopefully it will winter over ok.

Hi Ron, Thank you for taking the time to leave us a glowing review! To protect the roots of the Hydrangea tree from harsh freeze-thaw cycles over the winter, apply a thick, 4- to 6-inch layer of mulch (like shredded bark or wood chips) around the base of the trunk, extending out to the drip line. This insulates the root zone. Be sure to keep the mulch pulled a few inches away from the trunk itself to prevent moisture accumulation. Thank you - Nature Hills Customer Support

The plant looks full and happy! I can’t wait to

The plant looks full and happy! I can’t wait to plant it!

Hi Susan, Thank you for leaving us a glowing review! We strive to make sure plants arrive in great condition and are happy to hear your Ruby Slippers Oakleaf Hydrangea arrived beautifully! Happy Planting - Nature Hills Customer Support

Toy Soldier™ Oakleaf Hydrangea