Oakleaf Hydrangea
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If contemplating curb appeal and the enjoyment of your yard and landscaping, it is hard to find a plant that will provide more beauty and interest in each season than an oakleaf hydrangea.

The Oakleaf hydrangea is a dramatic, white-blooming shrub with four seasons of interest. It blooms best in areas where summers are somewhat hot, but it is winter hardy farther north than the macrophylla (mophead). A tremendous advantage of the Oakleaf is that it can thrive in much dryer locations than its cousins. Mopheads struggle in my sandy soil, but the Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive with very little attention.

At this time the Oakleaf can be purchased in two forms: the single blossom types and the, so called, double-blossom type. ‘Snowflake’ & ‘Harmony’ are two most common varieties with double blooms. 

The Oakleaf gets its name from the shape of its beautiful large leaves. These leaves often turn colors of brilliant red, orange, yellow and burgundy in the fall if planted in a sunny location with a little afternoon shade. The Oakleaf hydrangea can tolerate and even thrive in much sunnier areas than the mophead and lacecaps (macrophyllas).

NOTE: Unlike the mophead, the Oakleaf can grow very well in drier soil, but it cannot tolerate “wet feet.” It is important to provide excellent drainage when planting this hydrangeas. It can get root rot in a heart-beat if it stands in soggy soil even for short periods.

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Native to the United States this shrub can grow to 15 feet and spread accordingly. Not only will it fill large spaces but provides huge white flowers in the summer that age to light pink and brilliant colored red, orange and burgundy leaves in the fall. Why this plant?  It is:

• cold hardy
• drought tolerant
• sun indulgent
• vibrant, large fall leaf colors
• long blooming in spring and summer
• great for cut flowers that dry naturally
• insect and disease resistant
• peeling bark creates interest in the winter

Plant in partial to full shade is best to enjoy this all-year performing shrub.

Final Walk Through
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A final walk through is a final look at a property you are going to purchase, before closing. Generally, it is arranged between a week and the day before you are scheduled to close the sale. The time may vary but it is beneficial to do a final walk through close enough to closing to view the final condition, but out far enough to complete changes if required.

It is the final opportunity to view the property to make sure it is in the condition and repair you expected and agreed upon in the purchase agreement.

Appliances or personal items. Make sure appliances, window coverings or other items agreed upon with the sellers to include in the sale are still at the property and in working order.

Condition of the property. Confirm that the condition of the property is as last seen. Water heater and HVAC working properly along with plumbing and electrical. Floor coverings and walls are as expected. No damage to the interior since you last viewed it.

Confirm any required repairs have been completed. If the inspection presented repairs or replacements that the sellers agreed to make, verify that they have all been made and are acceptable.

Unwanted items or trash. Check the property to be sure the sellers have removed all their personal belongings and trash, especially in garages, attics and out buildings.

Shou Sugi Ban
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Shou sugi ban (pronounced show-sue-gee-ban) is the ancient Japanese art of burning wood to preserve it. Used for thousands of years, this technique has exploded in the United States and worldwide as not only a wood-preserving method but also a popular aesthetic used in building and artwork.

The process starts by using a blow torch to char the outer layer of wood. Upon cooling the planks are brushed, cleaned and sealed using a natural oil. The carbonized outer layer of the wood now protects and preserves naturally. In addition, with the brushing that removes the residue of the charring, the creation of an alligator-like texture appears. The result is stunning.

hou sugi ban evolved in eighteenth-century Japan as a way to build housing using a readily available building material—Japanese red cedar (Cryptomeria Japonica). Japanese builders had to consider the local climate, which can be humid with extreme temperature fluctuations between seasons. Additionally, homes lining Japan’s coastline contend with salty ocean spray, which can wear down a building’s cladding and decking. The shou sugi ban technique provided a cost-effective way of weatherproofing Japanese homes. Burnt cedar siding naturally resists destructive environmental elements, and its appealing matte finish and relatively simple manufacturing process have contributed to its lasting popularity.

The traditional Japanese technique for shou sugi ban, or yakisugi, involves Japanese red cedar, which grows natively on the islands of Japan. In the western hemisphere, sourcing Japanese cedar can be difficult, so builders often opt for western red cedar. Other wood species that can work include hemlock, southern cypress, pine, and basswood. Though softwoods like cedar are ideal for shou sugi ban, you can use hardwoods like oak and maple, though they may not prove as durable.

The most common species of wood used is cedar and cypress. The procedure holds the wood:

• weather resistant
• pest resistant
• rot resistant
• UV resistant
• Fire resistant

Videos are plentiful on YouTube demonstrating burning and brushing methods to achieve various finishes and can be a great DIY project.