Hydrangea anomala

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese climbing hydrangea

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Japanese climbing hydrangea John Fielding

Synonyms

Hydrangea altissima

Climber Wall Shrub

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Hydrangeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous, 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)