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Climber Wall Shrub

Hydrangea anomala

Japanese climbing hydrangea

A vigorous, deciduous or semi-evergreen climber that can reach up to 12m high in ideal conditions. Leaves are mid-green, ovate and coarsely toothed, and bark is brown and peeling when mature. Produces broad, loose clusters of flowers in early summer, with small greenish-white true flowers in the centre and large, showy white florets around the edges

Synonyms

Hydrangea altissima

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Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous or Semi evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Skin 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
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
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Himalaya to China, Taiwan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and shelter from cold, drying winds. This species climbs using aerial roots and will need suitable support, especially when young. Mulch annually in spring. See climbing hydrangea cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Wall side borders
Climber and wall shrubs

Pruning

Pruning Group 11, after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, red spider mite, stem and bulb eelworm, vine weevil and scale insects

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, grey moulds (Botrytis) and honey fungus (rarely)

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