Plant Profile: Hydrangea hydrangeoides 'Moonlight'

The Japanese Hydrangea Vine is a substantial woody vine indigenous to Korea and Japan. It features impressive clusters of striking white flowers, and its peeling bark adds visual interest during the winter months. Blooming in early summer, this vine is ideal for creating a dramatic effect on brick or concrete walls, arbors, gazebos, or virtually any standalone garden structure. It ascends and adheres not only through twining but also by using disk-like aerial rootlets. With its lateral branches, this woody vine resembles a shrub and thrives in wooded valleys, along stream banks, and on rocky mountain slopes. While it remains relatively unknown in the United States, it is prevalent in the dense forests of Japan.

This plant is adaptable to various light conditions, flourishing in both full sun and full shade, provided it has rich, moist, well-drained soil. Once established, it demonstrates drought resistance but cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions. The vine is somewhat slow to establish and may take up to seven years to start flowering after being transplanted. However, once it is settled, it faces minimal pest issues.

In comparison to the species, this particular cultivar boasts silvery-grey leaves and larger white flowers.

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