Hydrangea, commonly named the hortensia, is a genus of more than 75 species of flowering plants in the Hydrangeaceae family native to Asia and the Americas.

Hydrangea serratifolia is a woody evergreen climber similar to Hydrangea seemanii, with leathery dark green leaves to 15cm. In summer it bears clustered corymbs of white flower heads to 15cm across. Good for walls and tree trunks. It will grow to 15 meters is height. In Chile Hydrangea serratifolia grows at medium altitudes up to the timber line and at low altitudes on interior valleys. It grows in water or it has its roots within a permanent water course. This corresponds to marshes, bogs, water courses, lakes and river shores. It is also found in humid areas, with almost constant rainfall but can survive for short dry periods but generally not longer than 1 month. It grows in the shade of other plants in deep shadow. Deep ravines facing south with additional shadow from trees, or where there is very dense vegetation cover which gives 40% to 80% shadow like the Valdivian forests. Hydrangea serratifolia is cold hardy to -15° C or even -20° C. It can be covered by snow for 1 – 8 months and come back in spring!