Chinese Hydrangea-vine Hydrangea glaucescens
Previously known as:
- Schizophragma elliptifolium
- Schizophragma glaucescens
- Schizophragma hypoglaucum
- Schizophragma integrifolium
- Phonetic Spelling
- ski-zo-FRAG-muh in-teg-ree-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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Hydrangea glaucescens is a vigorous, large deciduous evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves in the hydrangea (Hydrangeaceae) family, native to Formosa, central and south China, Myanmar and Vietnam. Usually found at high elevations, it climbs by aerial roots over rocks or trees. This vine requires plenty of space as it can grow more than 25 feet tall and is best grown against a large tree or wall.
It likes to be planted in part shade in loam or clay soils that are moist but well-drained with plenty of added organic matter. pH preferred is acid or neutral. Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or hardwood cuttings in the winter. Protect from wind and severe cold.
Very rare in Western gardens, it would be found on ravines, hill slopes, forests, among shrubs, roadsides, on rocks, and cliffs. It is likely to succeed on shady to sunny walls, trees and other structures, flowering best with summer warmth and good light levels.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: May be susceptible to aphids, scale, vine weevil, leaf spot, mold, and powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hydrangea
- Species:
- glaucescens
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South China to Indo-China
- Distribution:
- Found in China in dense to sparse forests in valleys or on mountain slopes or summits
- Climbing Method:
- Clinging
- Scrambler
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsule is bell-shaped to inversely conical. Seeds are brown, compressed, 3-4 mm including wings;
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Description:
- Produces 10-12" white flower clusters similar to a lacecap hydrangea. Sterile flowers are yellow-white, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, or broadly elliptic. Fertile flowers with calyx tube inversely conical, 1.5-2 × 1-1.5 mm, base subacute; teeth triangular, ca. 0.5 mm.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Cuneate
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Denticulate
- Entire
- Serrate
- Sinuate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are variable in size, shape, serration of the margin, and pubescence of the leaves. The light green leaves, darker above than below, may range in shape from ovate to broadly elliptical. Leaf size varies from 2.5 to 8 inches long, and from 2 to 5 inches wide. The margin may be entire, minutely denticulate, or sinuate-dentate. The leaf undersurface varies from smooth to finely haired.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Rock Wall
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
