Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, north facing, south facing, west facing
Position in border:
Back, middle

Soil

Prefers rich soil:
Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, is a useful low-maintenance climbing shrub, perfect for a shady or north-facing wall. It's slow to get going, often making little new growth in the first few years. However, it's well worth the wait. In midsummer it bears huge, white lacecap-style hydrangea flowers, which can almost completely cover the stems. The craggy stems cling to the walls by adventitious roots. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

Grow Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris in moist but well-drained soil in shade or partial shade. Plants grow well in sunnier locations but the flowers don't last as well as in shadier sites.

Find out more:

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyes
Take cuttingsyesyesyesyes
Pruneyesyes

Hydrangea and wildlife

Hydrangea has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

Is Hydrangea poisonous?

Hydrangea can be toxic.

Toxic to:
Is known to attract Cats
Cats
Is known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is known to attract Horses
Horses
No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Hydrangea anomala
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