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.