Japanese name: ツルアジサイ（蔓紫陽花） Scientific name:Hydrangea petiolaris
[Overview]
A deciduous climbing woody plant that climbs rocks and trees by aerial roots.
The leaves are simple and opposite, broadly ovate to ovate-orbicular, 5.5–12 cm long, with fine teeth on the margin.
Both surfaces of the leaves have short hairs along the veins, densely so in the vein axils.
A cyme 10–17 cm across is produced at the branch tips.
The inflorescence has ornamental flowers made up of 4 white sepals around the edge, and many white bisexual flowers in the center.
The bisexual flowers have 5 petals, but these are joined at the tips and fall off just before opening, like taking off a hat.
There are 15–20 stamens.
The fruit is a globose capsule about 3.5 mm across.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers sun to partial shade and fertile soil with good drainage and good water retention.
It is unsuitable for places where the soil becomes extremely dry or where strong afternoon sun falls.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient once established, but in the high temperatures of summer water in the morning or evening when the temperature is lower.
Apply slow-release fertilizer twice a year, in winter and as a thank-you fertilizer after flowering.
Pests and diseases include powdery mildew, scale insects and aphids.
