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Schizophragma hydrangeoides

Japanese climbing hydrangea

Japan and Korea (moist montane forests; self-clinging by aerial rootlets; single-bract lacecap; exfoliating bark; slow to establish 3-5 yr; z5)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Schizophragma hydrangeoides is a deciduous, self-clinging, woody vine reaching 30-40 feet (9-12 m) and climbing by aerial rootlets. Native to Japan and Korea, it produces rounded to heart-shaped, dark green, coarsely toothed leaves 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long. Flat-topped lacecap inflorescences 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) across appear in July, with tiny fertile flowers in the center surrounded by large, single, ovate, creamy-white bracts (sepals)—each bract is a single petal-like structure, distinguishing this from Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris which has 4-petaled sterile florets. The bracts persist and age to tan-parchment. Reddish-brown exfoliating bark on mature stems. Growth rate is slow to establish, then moderate. Hardy to zone 5. Slow to begin climbing—may take 3-5 years to attach and ascend. The single-bract sterile florets create a more refined lacecap than climbing hydrangea.

Native Range

Schizophragma hydrangeoides is native to Japan and Korea—in moist montane forests, climbing forest trees and rocky outcrops.

Suggested Uses

Trained on masonry walls, large trees, fences, or as a groundcover on slopes. Self-clinging. Refined lacecap blooms Jul. Shade tolerant—one of few flowering vines for shade. Exfoliating reddish bark. Slow to establish (3-5 years). Heavy at maturity—needs strong support. Aerial rootlets may damage soft surfaces. Not suitable for flimsy structures or where slow establishment is unacceptable.

How to Identify

Distinguished from Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris by the single ovate bract (versus 4-petaled sterile floret) surrounding each sterile flower, and the slightly more refined, less coarse appearance. Both are self-clinging by aerial rootlets and similar in size. Japanese climbing hydrangea—single-bract lacecap, self-clinging, coarse heart-shaped leaves, reddish exfoliating bark.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 40'

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

gold

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer

Flat-topped lacecap inflorescences 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) with tiny central fertile flowers and large single creamy-white bracts, July. Bracts persist and age to tan-parchment. Bloom duration 4-6 weeks including aging bracts.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Creamy-white single bracts; flat lacecap 8-10 inches; tiny fertile center; Jul; age to tan-parchment

Foliage Description

Dark green; rounded to heart-shaped coarsely toothed 3-5 inches; deciduous

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-7 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 5. Self-clinging by aerial rootlets—needs no trellis on masonry or rough-barked trees. Slow to establish (3-5 years before climbing). Shade tolerant. Provide supplemental water during establishment.

Pruning

Prune after flowering if needed to control spread. Minimal pruning required. Remove any stems growing away from the support surface. Can be kept smaller with annual pruning after bloom. The exfoliating bark is visible on mature stems in winter.

Pruning Schedule

summer