Schizophragma hydrangeoides is commonly called the climbing hydrangea or Japanese hydrangea vine. It does hail from Japan (and also Korea) and is, in fact, an excellent climber.
Schizophragma hydrangeoides is deciduous and at this time of year you can fully appreciate the adaptations that allow it to be such a successful climber.
Whatever structure is provided, the climbing hydrangea will gracefully creep up it, hugging and twisting around any contours.
It attaches itself by short adhesive aerial roots produced along the stems.
Even though this plant can take time to establish, once it has, it can reach up to 12m.
It looks fantastic climbing on living trees or beautifying old stumps and can be controlled in a more domestic situation against a house, brick wall or wooden fence.
To avoid damage when removing branches from a structure, cut, then allow the stem and aerial roots to die before removing them.
During midsummer, creamy-white flowers are produced in complex, flat-topped inflorescences called cymes.
In Schizophragma, these are a combination of numerous small individual flowers, surrounded by the conspicuous, heart-shaped bracts (modified leaves).
Altogether, they create a delicate and attractive floral display.
To say the botanical name of Schizophragma hydrangeoides, just sound it out and enjoy the poetry of Latin: skiz-oh-FRAG-mah hy-drain-jee-OY-deez.
One specimen in the lower botanic garden is growing directly beneath Croque-o-dile Cafe, using the ornamental concrete wall as a support structure to reach for the sky.
• Marianne Groothuis is the camellia and theme collection curator at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
