Monday, August 23, 2010

Plant Picks

'Moonlight' Japanese Climbing Hydrangea



Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight'

A close relative of the true climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaria), Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight' is a self-climbing, deciduous vine. Using adhesive rootlets borne along its stems, it can climb a masonry wall or a tree without harming or overwhelming its support.In fall, the leaves turn from lime green to yellow before dropping to reveal a scaffold of reddish brown woody stems.



The young foliage, however, is like a full moon on a clear night; the heart-shaped leaves , 3 to 5 inches across, have a silvery sheen accented with dark green veins. Creamy, scented, lacecap blooms appear in summer for 6 to 8 weeks. 'Moonlight' prefers well-drained soil with average moisture in dappled sun to full shade. Although slow to start, it will eventually reach 20 or 30 feet.




Article by Lorene Edwards Forkner
Organic Gardening, April/May2010 OrganicGardening.com

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