Climbing Hydrangea

(Hydrangea petiolaris)

Interesting Information About Plant:   

     There are some unique and interesting facts about the Hydrangea petiolaris plant. Besides its capability of growing in every plane and its feature of using aerial roots to climb trees or buildings its bark peels, which is unique among vines. It can be used in landscaping to decorate a wall or climb a tree or hide an unbearable tree stump. It can even fold over stones. It grows as ground cover and can cover an area of up to two hundred square feet! The bark of this plant could be used as a paper substitute. It takes this vine a while to establish its roots so it starts out growing slowly, but once its roots are established it grows quite quickly. There are no known medicinal uses for this plant. However, the Chinese did use this vine as a condiment and sweetener. The leaves cooked gave a cucumber taste and the boiled leaves made syrup. The sweet sap was used as some form of drink.

Plant Growth Habit: Climbing Vine

Height at Maturity: More than 10 Feet

Life Span: Perennial

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous Perennial  

Growth Habitat: Full Sun or Shade

Manner of Culture: Landscape Shrub/Vine

Thorns on Younger Stem: No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish  

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter: Between The Diameter of a Pencil and a Broom-Handle 

Produces Brownish Bark: Yes

Bark Peeling in Many Areas: Yes

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Lines Go Up Down

Type of Leaf: Flat, Thin Leaf   

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Between The Length of a Credit Card and a Writing Pen

Leaf Complexity: Simple

Edge of Leaf: Simple

Leaf Arrangement: Opposite

Leaf has Petiole: Yes 

Patterns of Main-Veins on Leaf (or Leaflet): Pinnate

Leaf Hairiness: No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green 

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Mostly Stays Green Until Abscission in Autum (sometimes changes to yellow)  

Flowering Season: Summer  

Flowers: Tightly Clustered; creates a very large floral display  

Type of Flower: Colorful Flower

Color of Flower: White  

Shape of Individual Flower: Radially Symmetrical 

Size of Individual Flower: Between a Quarter and a Credit Card

Sexuality: Hermaphroditic Flower   

Size of Fruit: Smaller than a Quarter

Fruit Fleshiness: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Spherical  Capsule  

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels: ?  

Common Name(s): Climbing Hydrangea

Scientific Name: Hydrangea petiolaris (Sieb. & Zucc.)

Family Name (Scientific and Common): Hydrangeaceae (Saxifragaceae) (Mock Orange Family)

Continent of Origin: Asia (China, Japan)

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: Other Hydrangeas

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: Clings by using producing aerial roots; Inflorescence very dramatic

Poisonous: Yes (parts)  

Pestiness (weedy, hard to control): No

Page prepared by: 

Chad Manning                  

November 2004