This striking climbing species can be seen gracing a wall along the South Walk.
Schizophragma integrifolium is one of only two species belonging to the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). It is a deciduous species occurring on rocky outcrops in central and western China, from whence it was introduced to our gardens by Ernest Wilson in 1901. Woody aerial roots enable it to climb vertical surfaces up to a height of 12m. A hardy species, the leaves are ovate, and it produces flat cymes of inconspicuous fertile flowers, but it is the sterile blooms, with their large, narrow, ovate, white bracts which provide floral impact.