Climbs by twining petioles. Grow on a trellis or fence.

The bark of oakleaf hydrangea exfoliates and is very beautiful. The leaves turn a variety of vivid colors prior to dropping in winter. Based on the description on the herbarium sheet, the Florida Atlas documentation for Aachua County appears to be a plants or plants persisting at an old home site. Specimen shrub in understory settings.  Also suited to mass plantings. May be short-lived and need more TLC when planted south of its native range.

This tree is subject to Dutch elm disease which is not know to occur in Florida as of 2018 (IFAS, 2018). Medium shade tree for informal settings. Somewhat coarse in texture.