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Climber Wall Shrub

Hydrangea petiolaris var. megaphylla

large-leaved climbing hydrangea

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

Synonyms

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

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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)

Botanical details

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Native to the UK: 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)

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