Practical
Plants

Hydrangea anomala

a deciduous member of the Hydrangea genus in the family Hydrangeaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
12 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - cooked. A cucumber taste[7]. The Japanese crush the leaves and use them fresh with miso[6][7]. A boiled concoction of the leaves is used to make a syrup[6][7]. The sweet sap is used as a drink[7].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Sweetener
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Sap

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are used medicinally[11]. No further information is given.

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The bark is a paper substitute[4][5]. The sub-species H. anomala petiolaris can be used as a ground cover plant in a shady position[8]. It is best spaced about 1.8 metres apart each way[10].

Product or use
Paper

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber, Soil surface

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Shady ravines to 2100 metres in the Himalayas[5]. Dense to sparse forests in valleys, along stream banks, or on rocky mountain slopes at elevations of 500 - 2900 metres[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring[3]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[12]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8cm long, July/August in a frame. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring[12]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[9]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[12]. Basal softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots[9]. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Tolerates most soils[9], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[2][9]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[9], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[2]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[9]. The colour of the flowers reflects the pH of the soil the plant is growing in, the flowers are pink in a neutral to alkaline soil and blue in an acid soil. Although the dormant plant is quite hardy in Britain, the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A fast-growing self-clinging climbing plant[10], attaching itself by means of aerial roots[9], and growing up walls or tree trunks on any aspect. The plants may need initial support, however[9]. Plants are growing well on a wall at Kew[2]. Grows well on north walls but prefers a sunnier position[10]. Closely related to H. petiolaris[2]. H. petiolaris is normally treated as no more than a sub-species of this species[9]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  4. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

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  5. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  10. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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