Here in the South, and this is a plant with a strong Southern accent, even urban areas tend to be heavily wooded. Oakleaf hydrangea easily blends in where there are lots of trees. It does particularly well under tall shade, but it also looks good next to small flowering trees like dogwoods and redbuds. It is probably at its best when planted in mass. Because oakleaf hydrangea suckers from the roots, an individual plant will eventually form its own mass planting.
Several cultivars are available that have traits superior to the species.
Alice and Alison are selections made by Dr. Michael Dirr from plants growing on the University of Georgia campus. Both are nice plants and have flower heads that are larger than the species. Snowflake is a spectacular double-flowered selection. The leaves have nice maroon fall color. Sikes Dwarf'and Pee Wee.