Hydrangea petiolaris Silver Lining- Climbing Hydrangea

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 'Silver Lining' is a unique climbing hydrangea. It bears variegated deciduous foliage of grey and white. It uses its climbing roots to attach itself to walls or bare tree trunks. It can take 3 years before it climbs. During that time, it establishes its roots. In early summer, it produces a magnificent flowering in white lace umbels, which remain decorative when drying on the plant. Ideal for north or west exposures, this plant fears sunburn and appreciates fertile, deep soil, that is not too dry and not too chalky.

Native to Japan and northeastern Asia, Hydrangea anomalis subsp. petiolaris is a climbing bush of the Hydrangeaceae family. In its natural environment, the forests of Asia, this woody plant grows up to 15m (49ft) in height, but rarely exceeds 5 to 7m (16 to 23ft) in our climates.

'Silver Lining' has deciduous grey and white variegated foliage, with ovate leaves with serrated edges. It produces robust and ramified woody stems, up to 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft) in height, which present a very interesting architecture. With age, they crack, and their bark peels off in spectacular shreds, giving the plant an attractive appearance even in winter. A creeping bush with a strong covering power, it is also a climber that clings thanks to climbing roots. Without support it will not exceed 1.5m (5ft) and will form a dense bush. Its growth is a bit slow at the juvenile stage. It flowers in May-June, even in the shade. Its nectariferous flowers, in large umbels reaching sometimes 20cm (8in) in diameter, are flat, white, with a light but sweet fragrance. They transform this bush into a pastoral and vaporous mass. They do not wilt but dry slowly on the plant, adopting subtle green shades before browning. Its foliage takes on a pretty golden hue in autumn.

'Silver Lining' can be used in the background, to cover a north wall, or dress up an old dead tree. It also proves to be an excellent ground cover, very useful for retaining sloping soils. It pairs well with shrubby fuchsias (magellanica) for example, or low-demand ground cover plants such as Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegata', Alchemilla mollis, Geranium macrorrhizum, hostas, or Tiarella. It can be paired with annual or perennial climbers such as morning glories or sweet peas (in a slightly sunny exposure). In all cases, plant in a sunny to semi-shady exposure, in moist soil. It can also be pruned to obtain a flat shape.