About
Moonlight' is a vigorous, woody, deciduous climber, up to 12m tall, with silvery, blue-green leaves, and sprays of small, creamy-white flowers surrounded by large, white, sterile florets, similar to a lace-cap hydrangea.
About the genus
Hydrangea can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, or self-clinging climbers, with flowers in clusters usually comprising both small fertile and more showy sterile flowers; often good autumn colour
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationRequires plenty of space. Best grown against a large tree or wall - the plant attaches itself by aerial roots. Soil should be moist but well-drained with plenty of organic matter added
PruningPruning group 11 in spring
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, hydrangea scale and vine weevil
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)