Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris)
hy-DRAIN-jah anomala subspecies pet-ee-oh-LAR-iss

Deciduous Perennial Climbing in the Hydrangeaceae Family
Climbing Hydrangea enchants with large white lacecap flowers, creating a stunning display. Its heart-shaped dark green foliage transforms to a vibrant butter yellow in autumn, adding seasonal interest to your garden.

Climbing hydrangea is a true woody vine, not a shrub - it climbs by clinging to walls, trellises, and tree trunks with aerial rootlets and twining stems, eventually reaching 30 ft or more on a mature structure with a spread of only 5-6 ft at the base. Flat, lacecap-style flower clusters appear in early to midsummer, each with a ring of showy white sterile flowers surrounding small, creamy fertile flowers at the center.

Unusual among hydrangeas for thriving in full shade as well as sun. Note: this true climbing species is a different plant from the trailing, non-climbing 'Fairytrail' series hydrangeas also carried in this catalog.

Pros

  • One of the few true self-clinging vines that can cover a wall or trellis without wires or ties once established
  • Thrives in deep shade as readily as full sun
  • Long-lived and essentially free of serious pests or disease
  • Exfoliating bark and good fall color extend interest beyond the early-summer bloom

Cons

  • Slow to establish and can take several years to flower after transplanting
  • Needs a sturdy structure to climb and can damage wood siding or mortar if left unchecked
  • A large, long-term vine, not a substitute for the compact, container-friendly 'Fairytrail' series
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 30 - 60 feet tall. 6 - 8 feet wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Drought Tolerant, Formal Garden, Foundation, Fragrant Flowers, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Hedges, Good for Mass Planting, Low Maintenance, Medium, Medium, Most Popular, Native to Asia, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Plant of Merit, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Trellis, Vine, Well-Drained Soil, Winter Interest
Bloom Period May-July
Flower Color White
 

Most Popular Plants

 

Rankings

 

Plant Club Content

 

In The News

 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Astilbe, Coral Bells, Heuchera, Japanese Forest Grass, Sedum, Daylily, Coneflower, Salvia

Photos of This with...

Toucan Red Canna, Infinity Pink New Guinea Impatiens, Supertunia Vista Paradise Petunia, ColorBlaze Torchlight Coleus,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30


© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!