Japanese hydrangea vine ‘Moonlight’

Silvery leaves and summer flowers of Japanese hydrangea vine 'Moonlight.'

* Common name: Japanese hydrangea vine ‘Moonlight’

* Botanical name: Schizophragma hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’

* What it is: A woody, perennial vine with silver-sheened green, heart-shaped leaves. Gets white hydrangea-like flowers in early summer, but foliage is main attraction. Climbs by clinging rootlets, so use a trellis if you don’t want it growing directly on a wall.

* Size: Climbs 20 to 30 feet if never pruned.

* Where to use: Excellent dense vine for shade and part shade, especially for adding life to a bare east- or north-facing wall. Also good for a shady pergola or for hiding spouts and radon pipes in shady spots.

* Care: Keep damp to establish, then needs water only in a drought. No fertilizer needed. Cut back as needed in March before new growth begins.

* Great partner: Nice backdrop to the blue-tinted leaves of fothergilla ‘Blue Mist’ or ‘Blue Shadow.’