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Key characteristics

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Height: 30-50 feet
Width: 5-6 feet
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Dark green
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Water: Moderate, prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil
Maintenance: Low to moderate
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies

Vines

Hydrangea petiolaris

Climbing Hydrangea

Hydrangea petiolaris, commonly known as Climbing Hydrangea, is a vigorous, deciduous climber prized for its attractive foliage, fragrant flowers, and versatile growth habit. Native to the woodlands of Japan, Korea, and Sakhalin Island, it thrives in temperate gardens, creating stunning displays on walls, trellises, and other structures. In late spring to early summer, it produces large, flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers, each cluster measuring 8-10 inches across.

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Water

Moderate, prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Arbors & Trellises
Fences & Walls
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Lavender · Hellebores · Japanese forest grass · Astilbes

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Train the main stems early on a trellis or fence so the growth spreads sideways rather than bunching at the top.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)