Unlike most climbing hydrangeas ‘Skyland Giant’ is eager to bloom and for us has shown flowers in one gallon containers. This is a selected form of climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris ’Skylands Giant’) with sterile sepals more numerous and larger than the species. It was found at the New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands. It shares similar traits with the species in other respects, somewhat slow to establish, a true climbing vine with root-like holdfasts, blooming most heavily when frustrated in its climbing. Deciduous. Zones 4 - 8.

Schizophragma hydrangeoides ’Moonlight’ has luminous silvery-green foliage with dark green veins in its youth. The summer flowers are white, lacecap inflorescences. A true clinging vine, it grows most happily on stone or brick or up a shady tree. Were it never to bloom the foliage alone is dazzling. It’s the first of the "hydrangea" vines to leaf out in spring for us a few weeks before its cousin ’Roseum’ or the larger, rampant Schizophragma integrifolia (either form we grow). As for Schizophragma megalocarpum we are standing back in some awe. It’s been close to evergreen in our zone (semi-deciduous would be the textbook claim) and acting like Lance on steroids without the years of denial. As to Moonlight, it’s best in part shade to shade. Zones 5-7.

A large growing climber, Schizophragma integrifolium var. fauriei tolerates more sun than most of the hydrangea climbers and grows with purpose. It clings by holdfasts to your tree, wall or house, but not your leg (we’re not talking Akebia here). Unless you’re a statue. And if so, pay in advance -- well in advance. Large white blooms in late spring will make a tremendous addition to almost any vertical space. Slightly smaller leaves and less tomentose than SKU #631, but otherwise very similar. I believe it was the learned, but apparently boring taxonomist Alfred Rehder who made the varietal distinction. Zones 6?-9.

A lusty and large growing climber, Schizophragma integrifolium var. molle tolerates more sun than most of the climbers and grows with intent. Blooms are huge - a foot across. This vine needs a good stout wall or tree to climb. Zones 6?-9.