Climbing Hydrangea

Where it grows

Climbing hydrangea grows wild in the temperate deciduous forests of Japan, Korea, and Sakhalin, climbing tree trunks into the canopy. In gardens it is the standard solution for the difficult north-facing wall, where it clings by means of aerial rootlets to brick or stone without any need for trellis.

How to recognise it

A deciduous woody climber that can reach twelve metres, with peeling tan bark, broad oval leaves with toothed margins, and large flat corymbs of white flowers up to twenty-five centimetres across. The corymb consists of a centre of tiny fertile florets ringed by a halo of larger sterile florets with four white petal-like sepals, the classic lacecap arrangement.

Garden & cultural uses

Plants are slow to establish — it can take three or four years before flowering really gets going — but once mature they cover an entire house wall in a curtain of foliage and lace flower heads. Autumn yellow leaves and exfoliating winter bark extend the year-round interest.

In ecology

The flat flower heads are excellent landing platforms for hoverflies and small bees, making climbing hydrangea one of the best pollinator plants for shaded urban gardens.