Hydrangea integrifolia

Common Names

Evergreen Climbing Hydrangea, Climbing Hydrangea

Summary

An evergreen climbing shrub native to Taiwan and the Philippines, it clings to surfaces with adventitious roots, grows to 4–8 m in height and 2.5–4 m in spread, and features glossy bronzy-new leaves with golf-ball-like flower buds that open to frothy, creamy-white lace-cap blossoms, with bloom after 5–7 years.

Cultivation favors moist, well-drained soil with partial shade; full sun is tolerable if moisture is reliable, and sturdy supports are needed for the climbing habit. It tolerates acidic to alkaline soils and is hardy to USDA zones 7–9 (RHS H4), widely grown in milder regions for walls, shade, or hedges, with propagation by layering.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10-40 feet

Spread

10-20 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; tolerates full sun with regular irrigation and full shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil with pH 5.6–7.5, rich, organic-matter amended soil, Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil; keep consistently moist, avoid waterlogged conditions.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Cream-white, White, White/Near White, Pastel pinks to deep blues (soil pH dependent)

Bloom Time

Spring to Fall

Foliage Color

Dark green, bronzing when young

Fall Foliage Color

Green (evergreen)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow growth

Seasons of Interest

Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Bees and butterflies.