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Decumaria barbara
Decumaria barbara L.
Decumaria, Climbing Hydrangea, Woodvamp
Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: deba4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A woody vine to 30 ft., attaching by rootlets, with smooth, shiny, round to oval, deciduous leaves and fragrant flowers in flat-topped terminal clusters. Individual flowers are small and pale white with numerous stamens, held 1 to 2 feet from climbing surface. The subsequent fruiting capsules are urn-shaped.
Unlike some forest vines, it maintains full leaf coverage from shady ground to sunny canopy, with glossy, dark green foliage providing an airy backdrop to the ethereal white blooms. Though it can be used as both a trailing groundcover and a climber, it will only bloom when climbing, and then only on new wood. Great for moist Southeastern gardens with seasonal flooding.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Climber, up to about 30 feet long.
Leaf: Dark, glossy green. Fall color is white and green.
Flower: Flowers 2 to 4 inches across
Fruit: Tan 1/4 inch
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Blooms on new wood. Will only bloom when climbing, not when trailing on the ground. Flowers held 1 to 2 feet from climbing surface.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DE , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , NY , SC , TN , VANative Distribution: S.e. VA, s. to FL & LA
Native Habitat: Low woods, swamps, river banks
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rich, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Climbing hydrangea can be used as a ground cover, a high climber on trees, or a cover for ledges & rock outcrops, though it will only bloom when climbing. It is well-suited to moist situations.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Softwood CuttingsDescription: Softwood cuttings are best, as it can take many years to bloom when started from seed.
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Vines for shade in North-Central Georgia
August 07, 2009
I am looking for something to hide a 6' wood fence that will grow in almost full shade. I have an area approx 2 feet wide to plant in. Since the fence and planting areas are stepped -- about 8 feet f...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | OBL | OBL |
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Decumaria barbara in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Decumaria barbara in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Decumaria barbara
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-05Research By: TWC Staff