Chinese Dregea

Scented, dangling clusters of wax-like blooms and heart-shaped foliage make Dregea sinensis (syn. Wattakaka sinensis) one of the most enchanting rare climbers for a sunny wall. Opening throughout mid-to-late Summer, the star-shaped, porcelain-white flowers are intricately speckled with pinkish-red throat markings and emit a distinct, honeyed scent. Its twining, woody stems feature soft, downy felt on the undersides of the leaves, adding extra tactile interest. Though deciduous in cold Irish winters, this exotic-looking climber shoots up rapidly each Spring, bringing a lush, tropical aesthetic to sheltered courtyard gardens and warm boundaries.

Site: Sheltered, ideal choice for a south/west-facing wall
Soil: Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; thrives in loam, sand, or chalk
Position: Best in full sun; tolerates light, dappled shade
Season of interest: Fragrant flowers June-September
Hardiness: Borderline to moderately hardy -5 to -10°C
Height:  8-13ft (2.5-4m) Spread: 5-8ft (1.5-2.5m)

Image by Leonora (Ellie) Enking cropped, and licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0