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Hydrangea anomala - D.Don.                
                 
Common Name
Family Hydrangeaceae
Synonyms H. altissima. Wallich.
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shady ravines to 2100 metres in the Himalayas[158]. Dense to sparse forests in valleys, along stream banks, or on rocky mountain slopes at elevations of 500 - 2900 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - China to the Himalayas.
Edibility Rating  
Medicinal Rating  
Care
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun

Summary       

Physical Characteristics       
 icon of manicon of climber
Hydrangea anomala is a deciduous Climber growing to 12 m (39ft 4in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to July, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.


Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Hydrangea anomala


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cillas
Hydrangea anomala
   
Habitats       
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover; East Wall. By.
Edible Uses                                         
Edible Parts: Leaves;  Sap.
Edible Uses: Condiment;  Sweetener.

Leaves - cooked. A cucumber taste[183]. The Japanese crush the leaves and use them fresh with miso[177, 183]. A boiled concoction of the leaves is used to make a syrup[177, 183]. The sweet sap is used as a drink[183].
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.



The leaves are used medicinally[266]. No further information is given.
Other Uses
Paper.

The bark is a paper substitute[146, 158]. The sub-species H. anomala petiolaris can be used as a ground cover plant in a shady position[188]. It is best spaced about 1.8 metres apart each way[208].
Cultivation details                                         
Tolerates most soils[200], thriving in a well-drained loamy soil[1], but resenting dryness at the roots[11, 200]. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[200], but if it is grown in a low rainfall area then it requires shade at the hottest part of the day[11]. Does well on very acid soils with a pH around 4.5[200]. 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[208], attaching itself by means of aerial roots[200], and growing up walls or tree trunks on any aspect. The plants may need initial support, however[200]. Plants are growing well on a wall at Kew[11]. Grows well on north walls but prefers a sunnier position[208]. Closely related to H. petiolaris[11]. H. petiolaris is normally treated as no more than a sub-species of this species[200]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].
                                                                                 
Propagation                                         
Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse in spring[113]. Cover the pot with paper until the seed germinates[78]. 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[78]. Cuttings of mature wood in late autumn in a frame[200]. Mound layering in spring. Takes 12 months[78]. Basal softwood cuttings of non-flowering shoots[200]. Leaf-bud cuttings of the current seasons growth in a frame[200].
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Expert comment                                         
 
      
Author                                         
D.Don.
                                                                                 
Botanical References                                         
11200266
                                                                                 
Links / References                                         

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[113]Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
[146]Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Written last century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
[158]Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur.
A good flora for the middle Himalayan forests, sparsly illustrated. Not really for the casual reader.
[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[188]Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[208]Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
[266] Flora of China
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

Readers comment                                         
 
Elizabeth H.
MRS. M.A.MURCOTT Thu Apr 13 2006
HIMALAYAN HYDRANGEA CREAMY FLOWERS SHAPE OF A BELL PROPAGATION?
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