Decumaria barbara

Decumaria barbara is the closest thing to an American hydrangea vine native in our Eastern woods. It's not a hydrangea, but it's related and has a better common name - wood vamp.

The white flowers do look hydrangea-like, but aren't as showy/large. They make up for being small by being prolific and covering the vine as it rambles up a tree or across a trellis.

Fall color is yellow, similar to the fall color of Hydrangea arborescens.

It's pretty easy to get going because it has "root-like hold fasts," meaning the roots stick to things rather than the vine branches or tendrils twining to help it climb. With it's clinging roots, it can shoot straight up things.

It's native to shady and low-lying, wet areas in the Southeastern United States. Mimic that environment in your garden and you'll have a very well-adjusted and vigorous wood vamp.

• clinging vine