Hydrangea seemannii (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Moist, well drained
Flowering period: Summer
Eventual Height: 10m
Eventual Spread: 4m
Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b 10a
Family: Hydrangeaceae
Hydrangea seemannii is a slow growing, evergreen self clinging climber (via aerial roots) with vigorous woody shoots. Its dark green leathery leaves are ovate with entire margins, up to 15cm long and 8cm broad. Its fragrant white flowers are dome shaped corymbs which are up to 15cm across.
Hydrangea seemannii, commonly known as the Evergreen Climbing Hydrangea, is native to the cloud forests of Mexico.
Hydrangea seemannii Flower (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
The etymological root of the binomial name Hydrangea is derived from the Greek hydor ’water’ and aggeion ‘a vessel or vase’. Seemannii is named after Berthold Carl Seeman (1825 – 1871), a German botanist.
The landscape architect may find Hydrangea seemannii useful as an evergreen flowering self clinging climber for lightly shady locations.
Ecologically, Hydrangea seemannii flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and some birds.
Hydrangea seemannii Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Hydrangea seemannii prefers moist, rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It will tolerate most pH of soil.
Hydrangea seemannii requires little maintenance. Overlong shoots may be cut back immediately after flowering.
