About
Vigorous, deciduous, woody, self-clinging climber about 12m tall, bearing dark green leaves, very small when young, with very sharply toothed margins, and lacy flowerheads of lightly scented, small, feathery, creamy-white fertile flowers fringed by large, conspicuous white bracts, produced in midsummer.
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 typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
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
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil, in sun or partial shade with shelter from cold, drying winds and from late frosts, which may damage young leaf and bud growth. See climbing hydrangea cultivation for detailed advice
PruningPruning group 11 after flowering
PropagationPropagate by layering, softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, glasshouse red spider mite, vine weevil and hydrangea scale
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)