Hydrangea barbara

Product Info

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea barbara)
Hydrangea Family

Climbing Hydrangea is a deciduous to semi-evergreen vine reaching heights of up to 30’. Leaves are a dark, glossy green that turn red and orange in the fall. This vine climbs by rooting into surfaces. Old vines can be very thick and heavily rooted, and are not recommended for climbing important structures, like houses. Instead, plant at the base of tall trees with few low limbs, or a very sturdy trellis. It can also be used as a stabilizing ground cover, but will only flower if allowed to climb. Creamy white blooms appear in the spring on new wood. Found in the wild in semi-shady wet forests, and swamps, this plant will grow best in consistently moist soil in part sun or part shade. Tolerates acidic soil, and does not like lean, dry soils. It grows rather slow, but is very long lived and worth the wait.

Blooms: White, 4-6 weeks, May-June
Leaves: Shiny, dark green, 3-4”, oval, semi-evergreen
Height: 30’+
Space: 1-3’
Soil: Average-Moist
Exposure:  Part sun-Part shade-Shade
Fauna: Bees, butterflies, small flies
Deer Resistance: Medium
Zone: 6-9
Native Status: NC Native, common in the Coastal Plain, rare in the Piedmont and Mountains
Provenance: Unknown, asexually produced