Pileostegia viburnoides

Pileostegia viburnoides, sometimes called the false viburnum, is a evergreen climbing plant, closely related to climbing hydrangeas, known for its late flowering in large airy panicles, frothy, cream-white in colour. A slow-growing bush, it attaches itself to its support using aerial roots equipped with climbing roots, similar to ivy. Ideal for covering a shady or semi-shady wall, the false viburnum adapts to any well-drained soil enriched with humus, preferably slightly acidic.  

Native to India and East Asia (China, Taiwan, and Japan), Pileostegia viburnoides is still rare in cultivation despite its good hardiness (-15 to -18 °C). In the wild, this species can be found in wooded valleys, between 600 and 1000m (1968 and 3281ft) above sea level. It was Introduced to Europe in 1908 by the British botanist Ernest Wilson. It is a climbing bush of the hydrangea family, closely related to Hydrangea semannii in terms of appearance and cultural requirements. The plant takes time to establish itself, and then its growth accelerates somewhat, but it is not fast. Eventually, its vegetation can cover an area of about 5-6 m². The stump produces long woody stems with climbing roots that cling to any support. The young shoots are pinkish and quite decorative. The foliage somewhat resembles that of the bay laurel. It consists of long, closely ovate to elliptical, leathery, glossy leaves, quite dark green in colour. They persist throughout the winter. Flowering takes place between late August and late September. It takes the form of elongated panicles measuring up to 15cm (6in), composed of tiny cream-white flowers with prominent stamens, very attractive to bees. This Pileostegia thrives in a sheltered position protected from cold winds, flowering better with the head in the sun, but the base shaded, in slightly moist soil enriched with humus.

This false viburnum can be used on a north-facing wall or, even better, on an east-facing wall, where it will be covered in vegetation all year round and buzzing with bees at the end of the season. This plant will also gradually cover an old tree or an unsightly structure. It can be paired with shrubby fuchsias (magellanica), for example, or with low-maintenance ground cover plants such as Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegata', periwinkles, perennial Geranium macrorrhizum, hostas, or Tiarella. It makes a good companion for Armand's clematis, which flowers in March-April and also appreciates having its base in the shade and its head in the sun.