Hydrangea petiolaris var. megaphylla

RHS Plant Profile

large-leaved climbing hydrangea

Synonyms

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris var. tiliifolia misapplied
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris var. megaphylla

Climber Wall Shrub

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Rare in cultivation, a vigorous, self-clinging, deciduous climber to about 15m in height, with brown, peeling bark, and large, broadly oval mid-green leaves turning yellow in autumn. Exceptionally large, lacy greenish-white flower-heads with fertile flowers are surrounded by showy white sterile ones are produced in early summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil, in sun or partial shade with shelter from cold, drying winds and from late frosts, which may damage young leaf and bud growth. See climbing hydrangea cultivation for detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Pruning group 11 after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, glasshouse red spider mite, vine weevil and hydrangea scale

Diseases

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