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Schizophragma spp.
Japanese hydrangea vine
Overview
Schizophragma spp. is a genus of deciduous woody climbers in the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae), native to eastern Asia, the most grown being S. hydrangeoides, the Japanese hydrangea vine. Stems climb by clinging aerial rootlets to 30-40 feet (9-12 m) on walls, trees, and large structures. The heart-shaped leaves are 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long with toothed margins, dark green above and lighter beneath, turning yellow in autumn. Flat clusters 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) across open in summer, with small fertile flowers ringed by sterile flowers, each marked by a single cream to white teardrop-shaped bract about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) long. The single bract per sterile flower distinguishes it from the climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris), which has four-sepaled sterile flowers. Plants are slow to establish and may take several years to begin flowering. Without support the stems trail along the ground.
Native Range
Native to Japan, Korea, and China. Grows in moist mountain woodland, climbing tree trunks and rock faces in humus-rich soil.Suggested Uses
Grown on shaded or part-shaded walls, fences, large tree trunks, and pergolas, where the self-clinging stems cover vertical surfaces over time, spaced 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) apart along a wall. The slow start and large mature size make the vines unsuited to small or temporary supports.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 40'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Bloom Information
Flat flower clusters open in early to midsummer, roughly June to July. The cream bracts persist for several weeks after the small fertile flowers fade. Flowering begins only on established plants, often after three to five years.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Cream to whiteFoliage Description
Dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight