There is only one climbing species in the Hydrangea genus that has long conquered our gardens. Hydrangea petiolaris is one of the most beautiful things available for greening your home. On the other hand, the very similar mock hydrangea, also known as split hydrangea, is largely unknown.
All varieties of climbing hydrangea have white flowers
Climbing Hydrangea Hydrangea petiolaris
Hydrangea petiolaris originally comes from Japan and China, but has also been used in Germany for many years to green house walls, old trees, pergolas, etc. The undemanding and robust plant is also suitable as a ground cover due to its growth. The plate-shaped flowers are always creamy white and show a corona of a few sterile petals, with the flat center composed of numerous fertile flowers. When young, the climbing hydrangea is sometimes a bit lazy to grow.
Hydrangea petiolaris - the most beautiful varieties
In Germany, different varieties of the climbing hydrangea Hydrangea petiolaris are not (yet?) very widespread. Basically, only four varieties are known in this country, although this type of hydrangea is of course much more diverse. In garden-loving Great Britain, for example, you can admire unusual varieties such as "Summer Snow" or "Firefly".
| variety | flower color | heyday | leaves | growth height | growth width | features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| miranda | creamy white | June to July | yellow variegated | about 3 meters | about 3 meters | big flowers |
| Cordifolia | creamy white | June to July | deciduous, heart-shaped | approx. 60 centimeters / on walls up to 3 meters | about 40 centimeters | dwarf form |
| Semiola | White | May to June | evergreen | about 250 centimeters | about 3 meters | new breed |
| Silver Lining | White | July to August | white-green variegated | about 1.5 to 2 meters | about 1.5 to 2 meters | well suited for buckets |
Mock Hydrangea Schizophragma hydrangeoides
The mock or cleft hydrangea is closely related to the climbing hydrangea, with the main difference being the shape of the petals. The plate-shaped, also cream-white flowers have a ring of few sterile petals and a flat center of numerous fertile flowers. In contrast to the "real" climbing hydrangea, however, the false flowers are heart-shaped and sit individually on the flower stalks. With the climbing hydrangea, on the other hand, three to four always sit together. The mock hydrangea is also as robust as it is undemanding and thrives in semi-shady to shady locations.
tips and tricks
Both climbing hydrangeas should be planted in a semi-shady to shady location if possible. A sunny spot only makes sense in very moist, deep soil, although southern exposure is unsuitable.