This climber is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: sun to partial shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: slow at first, then medium
• Flowering period: early summer
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Initially the flowers of this interesting form are dusky red, but as they mature, they fade to a pink-flushed cream and look really pretty against the backdrop of lustrous green leaves. It makes an attractive addition to a north-facing wall, and as the stems produce aerial roots along their length, it will become self-supporting once it gets established.
  
  
• Garden care: Plant in moist, fertile soil and do not allow the soil to dry out while the plant is getting established. This hydrangea flowers on the previous season’s wood, so if you need to prune it back, do so in late autumn or early spring, but be warned that this will restrict flowering the following year.