Scientific Name
Hydrangea anomala D. Don
Common Name(s)
Japanese Climbing Hydrangea
Synonym(s)
Hydrangea altissima, Hydrangea anomala var. sericea, Hydrangea glabra, Hydrangea glaucophylla
Scientific Classification
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Genus: Hydrangea
Origin
Hydrangea anomala is native to the woodlands of the Himalayas, southern and central China, and northern Myanmar.
Flower
Color: White
Bloom Time: Midsummer
Description
Hydrangea anomala is a woody climbing plant that grows up to 40 feet (12 m) in height on trees or rock faces, climbing using small aerial roots on the stems. The leaves are deciduous, ovate, up to 5 inches (13 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide, with a heart-shaped base, coarsely serrated margins, and acute apex.
The flowers are produced in flat corymbs up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and appear in mid-summer. Each corymb includes a small number of peripheral sterile white flowers up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) across and numerous small creamy-white fertile flowers. Fruits are dry urn-shaped capsules containing several small, winged seeds.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 4a to 8b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Hydrangeas prefer a sunny or semi-shaded position in a cool garden area with shelter from cold, drying winds. For this reason, they are especially useful for brightening up shaded borders and make a lovely feature in the dappled shade of woodland gardens. Try to avoid hot, sunny areas and east-facing spots where cold winds can damage the spring growth.
Grow Hydrangea plants in any rich fertile, moist soil. It's a good idea to work in some well-rotted manure or compost before planting Hydrangeas. They will always appreciate a mulch of organic matter in spring to help conserve moisture at their roots and feed them up for the coming growing season. On light soils, it is a good idea to feed Hydrangeas with an ericaceous fertilizer.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Hydrangeas.
Subspecies
Links
- Back to genus Hydrangea
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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