HYDRANGEA PETIOLARIS

Hydrangea petiolaris

Perhaps more commonly known as the Japanese climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris is a vigorous woody, deciduous plant native to the woodlands of Japan, the Korean peninsula, and Sakhalin island in the Russian Far East. It was originally named Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris by German botanists Philipp Franz Balthasar von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini. They subsequently renamed it to the simpler Hydrangea petiolaris which remains with us today. It was introduced to western gardens in 1865 and received its Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1984.

Hydrangea petiolaris

It is a strong growing, self-clinging climbing shrub which can reach and overall height of between 9 and 25 metres depending on conditions, and  approximately 2 to 3 m wide. In its native environment it grows up trees and rock faces by means of small aerial roots on the stems, and it tolerant of shady walls and north-facing positions.

The leaves are broadly ovate, abruptly pointed and finely toothed. The flowers are produced in flat corymbs 15–25 cm which appear in June. The blooms are a dull, greenish-white colour, with several large, conspicuous, white, sterile florets along the margin. Young plant will need to be tied in to a suitable support until the aerial roots take hold.

Hydrangea petiolaris will perform best when grown in a rich, fertile, moist, but well-drained soils in semi-shade. In lighter soils dig in plenty of organic matter before planting, and do not allow the soil to dry out while the plant is getting established.

Avoid exposed east-facing sites, where cold winds may damage the emerging spring growth, and also dry, sunny spots.

Hydrangea petiolaris flowers on the previous season’s wood, so when pruning, do so in the late autumn or early spring. However be aware that this will restrict flowering the following year.

Just one more thing, Hydrangea petiolaris is absolutely my go to plant when I need to cover ugly north facing walls. It is arguably the most ornamental of all shade tolerant climbers, rarely troubled by pests and diseases and will still give a strong flowering season. Ten out of ten from me.

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