Chinese hydrangea vine is a woody deciduous climber native to rocky hillsides and forest edges of western and central China. It is a member of the hydrangea family, Hydrangeaceae, that also includes mock orange and Deutzia. Growing up to 32′ tall, the vine will grow up trees, walls or other structures by means of aerial roots. Growth is slow at first but becomes more vigorous with maturity. The broadly ovate, deep green leaves are up to 6″ long and have toothed margins and slender pointed tips. The showy creamy white flowerheads are up to 10″ across and resemble those of lacecap hydrangea. The appear in early to mid summer and are composed of small flowers surrounded by large conspicuous, white ovate bracts up to 3.5″ long. A good choice for shade, woodland, and wall garden. The genus name, Schizophragma, comes from the Greek words σχίζω (schizo) meanng to split and φράγκμα (phragma) meaning a fence and refers to the inner wall of the fruit capsule. The specific epithet, integrifolium, comes from the Latin words integer meaning whole/entire, and folia, meaning leaf, and refers to the fact that the leaves are not lobed.Type: Woody deciduous vine
Bloom: Creamy white flowerheads composed of small flowers surrounded by white bracts up to 3.5″ long in early to mid summer
Size: 32′ H x 19′ W
Light: Part shade to full shade
Soil: Organically rich, moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 6-9
Care: Tie up young shoots to promote climbing; prune in spring.
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
Outstanding Selections: ‘Windmills’ (larger blooms than species)
Karen Meyers