The Hydrangea-Like Vine With Gorgeous White Flowers That You Can Grow On Fences & Structures

Hydrangeas are popular perennial shrubs that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and forms, including climbing vines. There's a relatively new plant introduced by Proven Winners in 2021 that looks like a climbing hydrangea vine, but is actually known as a false hydrangea (Schizophragma hydrangeoides), or a Japanese hydrangea vine. The 'Flirty Girl' cultivar is an easy to grow vine that produces flowers all summer.  

The fluffy flower clumps are similar to the types of hydrangea flowers known as "lacecap" which feature larger petals within flower heads made of tiny blooms. Also, 'Flirty Girl' puts on a four season color show: Purple shoots appear with new leaf growth in spring, followed by glossy green leaves and creamy white lacecap flowers in summer. Then, the flowers gradually fade in autumn when the foliage turns golden yellow, and the reddish brown stems offer winter interest.

This deciduous vine is cold hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9, and it blooms from early summer to fall. 'Flirty Girl' produces large flower clusters that resemble white hydrangea flowers, and the leaves look similar to hydrangeas also. The flowers are fragrant and attract pollinators including butterflies, moths, and bees, so it makes a good addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.

'Flirty Girl' hydrangea thrives best in moist, well-drained soil. It will also grow in dense clay if you add some amendments to improve soil, like compost or peat moss, which help increase drainage properties. This will give the vine a good start and improve drainage while it's getting established. Before planting any kind of climbing vine, choose a location appropriate for its mature size. 

Since 'Flirty Girl' can get as tall as 30 or 40 feet, and as wide as 9 feet, it needs regular pruning. The best time for pruning is late winter once there is no longer a threat of extremely cold temperatures. Because 'Flirty Girl' has a clinging habit, it doesn't need a trellis or other structure for support, but this means it might also cling to trees or shrubs, so keep an eye on it. Fast-growing vines also create privacy screens on chain link fences or arbors, creating a cozy backyard oasis that also provides shade in summer. 'Flirty Girl' is a good choice for sunny locations, but also for woodland gardens that get at least three hours of sun per day.

Additional cultivars of false hydrangea vine include 'Moonlight' (which grows up to 20 feet tall), and 'Rose Sensation' (with pale pink flowers). Both prefer partial shade, but 'Flirty Girl' can tolerate up to 6 hours of direct sunlight. All three have fragrant blooms that will lure pollinators to your yard.