Hydrangea petiolaris Flying Saucer- Climbing Hydrangea

Hydrangea petiolaris 'Flying Saucer' is a variety of climbing hydrangea with umbels of white flowers which are larger, and more decorative, than those of the botanical species. The long and powerful stems of this deciduous bush use climbing roots to cling on to bare walls or bare trees, in the manner of ivy, transforming large spaces into buzzing curtains of bees in early summer. Although it sometimes takes 3 years to climb, it is a robust plant that will manage on its own once well established. Remarkably adapted to shaded situations, climbing hydrangeas are invaluable for their ability to decorate difficult areas. 

Native to Japan and northeastern Asia, Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris is a climbing bush belonging to the Hydrangeaceae family. In its natural environment, the forests of northeastern Asia, this woody plant grows up to 15m (49ft) in height, but it rarely exceeds 5 to 8m (16 to 26ft) in our climates. It is a very hardy plant (-25°C (-13°F)) that thrives in deep, rich soil, without excess limestone and not too dry. Its growth is slightly slow in the juvenile stage, while its roots anchor deeply in the soil. 

The 'Flying Saucer' variety only differs in the increased size of its inflorescences. This vigorous plant produces woody, sturdy and well-branched stems, up to a minimum of 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft) in height, which have a very interesting architecture. With age, they crack, and their bark flakes off in spectacular shreds, giving the plant an attractive appearance even in winter. This creeping bush is a hardy climber that uses its climbing roots to cling. Without support, it will not exceed 1.5m (5ft) and will form a dense bush. The stems bear ovate leaves with pointed tips, measuring 8cm (3in) long by 3cm (1in) wide, finely dentate on the edges, and slightly rough to the touch. They are bright green on the top, lighter underneath, and turn yellow in autumn before falling off. This hydrangea blooms from late May to July depending on the climate, even in the shade. Its nectar-rich, flat, white flowers are arranged in large umbels reaching up to 30cm (12in) in diameter. Each one is composed of numerous fertile flowers with prominent stamens surrounded by a few larger sterile florets. They do not wither but dry slowly on the plant, adopting subtle green hues before turning brown.

'Flying Saucer' can be used in the background to cover a north-facing wall or dress up an old dead tree. It also proves to be an excellent ground cover. It pairs well with shrub fuchsias (magellanica) for example, or low-maintenance ground cover plants like Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegata', perennial Geraniums macrorrhizum, or periwinkles. It can be combined with a shade-loving Virginia creeper like Parthenocissus henryana and quinquefolia.