Hydrangea Schizophragma Roseum

Native to the woodlands of Japan, where it scrambles up tree trunks, this climber is often sold as the Japanese hydrangea vine. Its heart-shaped leaves open fresh green in spring, and the flat flower heads shift from creamy white to a soft rose as the weeks pass. Come autumn the foliage turns a warm golden yellow.

Patience helps in the early years, since growth stays slow until the roots settle, after which it climbs with more purpose. Fix the young stems to their support until they take hold for themselves. A light prune once the flowers fade keeps the framework tidy and within bounds.