Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea
Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris known as Climbing Hydrangea is considered the best of vines. This attractive climber grows a cinnamon exfoliating bark with deep glossy green foliage. It produces a waterfall of fragrant clusters of white flowers 6-10 inches wide attached to a 1 inch stalk making it a stunning vine when in bloom.
Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or shade. A North or East side of a building is preferred. In hotter climates provide more shade and moisture. Be sure to provide a sturdy structure for it to climb on.
Climbing hydrangea will be slow to establish the first year; the fibrous roots take time to recover from transplanting. During this time maintain even moisture and because of minimal growth feed it very little. Do not prune in the juvenile stage. Once established, it will take off and eventually grow 50-70 ft high and 30-40 ft wide. This vigorous climber will develop tenacious aerial roots that “cement” themselves to bark, brick, wood, vinyl siding which can be a problem when removing the vine. The residue left by the aerial roots is difficult to remove. Avoid planting against a Maple tree as it will compete for moisture.
Blooming
When the vine reaches adult stage it will grow multi branched stems that produce flattened clusters of white flowers that change to light green with age. The vine blooms on old wood and can take 6-10 years to start blooming. It blooms in May thru July.
The vine can be pruned after flowering.
Propagation: Take cuttings in early spring when shoots are green and soft.
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Climbing Hydrangea: can climbing hydrangea’s be grown on cyclone fencing, thankyou, rick
Hi:
I planted two climbing hydrangea vines this spring. They are planted on a north facing fence and get some morning sun. They seem to be doing well except that on one of them the leaves are turning red. What could be the cause of this?
Thank you
Ann
my climbing hydrangea was growing up a brick wall. someone or something pulled it away from the wall. are there any types of clips i can use to reposition it until new rootlets take hold?
Propagate climbing hydrangea
I just bought a house that has a beautiful climbing hydrangea along an entire side of the house. I suspect it is 10-20 years old but all of the growth comes from 2 stems. This results in some spotty growth near the top of the wall in a few areas. I am going to try your tip with using picture support clips.
Would there be any harm in trying to take some cuttings and add them to the wall, or do these plants like that kind of crowding? Also, are soft wood cuttings the best for propagation or will the plant make viable seeds?
We bought what was labeled a spreading hydrangea. It is low and spreading very slowly along a fence. We planted it 3 years ago. How do care for it? Should we dead head it and if so when? Should we prune branches or old leaves and if so when?
Pruning climbing hydrangea
The tag on my plant says hydrangia petiolaris. It’s been in 2 years, the vines are healthly looking, bright green, but nothing that looks like a flower or bloom. I’m in partial shade, but vines look great as well as leaves. Where are my flowers? I did not trim it back last year…Thanks..can you help me? I’m in upstate new york, sidney to be exact.
I read all the articles on the Climbing hydrangeas and nothing helped me. My problem with mine is that I have had it for 6 years now and has only grown to about 3 feet and has never bloomed. I have it planted on the north side of the house and next to a fence for support. it has plentry of shade. Help!
Pruning Climbing Hydrangea
We just bought a home that has climbing hydrangea along the back fence. It looks like it has been neglected for years. When we moved in April it had all the dead leaves and flowers from last year on it. We weren’t sure what it was so we left it alone. It has now grown over the top of the 7′ fence and out about 3-4′ into the yard. Will it hurt if we prune it way back? How far back can we prune it? I know there are other plants on either side of it that try to survive but are have a difficult time.
Will climbing hydrangea grow to cover a creosote treated wood and metal retaining wall?
I planted a climbing hydrangea approximately 3 years ago next to our pergola on the west side of our home. We noticed some good growth last year until we pulled it back to stain the pergola – we will not do that agajn! However, toward the end of the summer – I noticed that many of the leaves were turning brown and falling off. Could it be diseased? I keep waiting for the growth spurt to begin and hear it is the “cadillac” of vines. Should I wait it out, try some compost, or move the plant to a better location?
April 3, 2009
I planted my climbing hydrangea 5 years ago. It is located on the South side of our house and looks beautiful every year except no flowers. I prune it a little during the summer and cut it back a lot in the Fall. Am I pruning it to much that prevents it from flowering?
I have a bug of some kind that is eating the leaves on my climbing hydrangea and would like to know what it is and what to use to get rid of them. I don’t see any bugs on the leaves or stems. Thanks
HI Christine,
It’s difficult to determine what is eating your climbing hydrangea. In order to treat it you need to determine what kind of insect is causing the problem. I recommend that you examine the vine closely for insects and take a leaf to a local extension office .
Climbing on metal surface
I have a climbing hydrangea that is 3 or 4 years old. Got it at a plant sale. It is very healthy and I have to climb on a metal arbor. It has not grown more than 18 inch high. Does it have to be on a wooden structure in order to climb. I do not want to put it on my house or other buildings.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Dottie
We have a climbing hydrangia that is seven years old – and has never bloomed. We were told to cut it way back at the end of each season. Its on the north side of the house and we were considering digging it up and planting it on the south – where it would get sun. Is that wise??
Will moving the climbing hydrangia “kill” it at this age of 7 years?
I am considering a climbing hydrangea for a difficult shady spot that receives morning sun, but I’m worried about the roots damaging the brick wall of the house. Can you talk a bit about the effect the climbing hydrangea has upon brick walls?
Climb up a tree
I have a climbing hydrangea waiting to be planted. I have lots of new trellis to fill but also have a cherry tree in one corner and am wondering whether it would be a good idea to train the hydrangea up the cherry tree? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks
recently purchased climbing hydrangea, although concerned at the plants appearance at time of purchase I bought anyway. Plant seems very “leggy” with yellowing leaves, and numerous flowers (which I assume is good). What can I do to revive or care for this sad looking plant??
Thank you
I am in the process of removing a Wisteria that has, unfortunately, damaged my front porch to the point of needing replacement. It has grown onto the roof of my two-story home, and up into the eaves and siding, damaging the boards. Two beautiful rose vines, one pink, one red, have grown up through it, creating a beautiful display. I am trying to save the roses as I remove the Wisteria.
I purchased a Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea Anomala Petiolaris) that I wanted to plant in place of the Wisteria. I understand, from my research and reading the posts here, that the Climbing Hydrangea will attach to the wood siding of my home.
My First Question—will it have the same tendencies as the Wisteria, namely, to develop thick, woody stems that will creep under my siding, lifting and destroying the structure, or will it have a less “invasive” vine that “sticks” just to the outside of the wood.
My Second Question—Would it be wiser to construct a wood trellis a foot away from the house upon which the Climbing Hydrangea could grow? Thank you for your time and help.–K
I planted several climbing hydrangeas on a 6 ft high wooden fence and they have spread quite a bit and I’m now concerned about their weight on the fence. Any easy way of removing them?
You had mentioned that a climbing hydrangea doesn’t do well on a chain link fence. That’s all I have and just planted my hydrangea. Will I be able to train it along the fence as it matures?
Remove root markings
I bought my house two years ago and it had a beautiful climbing hydrangia on one portion of the front of the house. It started growing too tall reaching the roof line so I had to cut off about 3 feet of the plant to keep in under control. The problem is I am now left with the aerial roots on the siding and the brick. Are there any tricks to getting the root marks off of the house?
Will the vines live on treated lumber?
I recently planted 2 Japanese climbing hydrangeas and in preparation for the upcoming snowy winter, I wanted to know how I winterize it to protect it from the extreme cold and snow. Does anyone know?
I am about to plany a climbing hydrangea next to our shed. I attached a trellis to the shed. My question is about the roots of the climbing hydrangea. My question is about their roots. I was only able to dig about a foot and a half before hitting a a lot of big rocks which so far I have been able unable to remove. I am thinking of raising the level by adding about a foot of dirt, which would give them about 2 1/2 feet of dirt. How deep do the roots of the climbing hydrangea need to go? if they encounter some rocks will they adapt and be able to go around them underground?
Thanks
Rust on hydrangea vine
In the early spring, I planted two healthy climbing hydrangia on a metal arbor. They were doing really well until about a month ago. The leaves started to get rusty looking spots on the bottom and are now turning yellow and beginning to fall off. There is still new growth appearing. I am worred that something may be killing my plants. What could be causing this?
Fall leaf drop and pruning
Hello, I have 3 very healthy climbing Hydrangia, and they are now, at least 6 years old. They all bloombed well this summer. Now after a good frost, in the 20F’s the other night, all three look like they are dying back. Do they do this in the winter? And should I cut back, or leave alone? They have already been pruned a little after flowering? I don’t want to loose these plants, so I will wait to hear from you!!! Thank you so much!