With this plant, youll get beautiful hydrangea flowers and a dense vine in a package deal.
Climbing hydrangeas combine the attractive growth habit of a vine with the beauty ofhydrangea flowers.
A full-grown climbing hydrangea in bloom covering a wall, fence, or arbor is a spectacular sight.
This big vine produces large clusters of white flowers held against rich, dark green foliage.
Climbing hydrangeas latch onto supporting structures by aerial roots.
They grow very slowly and won’t flower for the first few years.
Like all hydrangeas, climbing hydrangeas are toxic to people and pets.
Climbing hydrangea is a large, heavy vine that needs both space and a sturdy structure to hold onto.
Consider the mature size before selecting a location.
Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and just as deep.
Tamp down the soil and water it well.
Keep the soil moist by watering it regularly during the first growing season to encourage a strong root system.
Space plants at least 10 feet apart to ensure good air circulation.
Tying the plant to the support with garden twine is optional.
Usually, the plant finds support on its own in its second year.
Climbing Hydrangea Care Tips
The vine is easy to grow and requires only a little maintenance.
Light
The light requirements for climbing hydrangea depend on where you live.
Generally, climbing hydrangea tolerates shade well, however, heavy shade reduces the blooming.
Young plants need frequent watering until they are established.
After that, apply a balancedslow-release fertilizeror a high-phosphorus fertilizer once every spring before the plant breaks dormancy.
Alternatively, spread a 2-inch layer of compost around the base of the plants in the spring.
Later, only prune dead or damaged branches soon after the bloom in late spring or early summer.
Climbing hydrangea blooms on old wood so any late-summer pruning risks removing next years flower buds.
Potting and Repotting
Due it its size and weight, climbing hydrangea is not suitable for container-growing.
Pests and Problems
The vine is not affected byserious pests or diseases.
Its dense foliage makes climbing hydrangea susceptible to mildew and leaf spot.
Possible pests include spider mites, scale, and aphids.
Deer browsing can be a problem, especially since theflowers are attractive to deer.
How to Propagate
Climbing hydrangea can be propagated from cuttings.
In the early summer take a 4-inch softwood cutting.
Remove all the leaves except the top two leaves.
Keep the cutting moist at all times.
The cutting has rooted when you gently tug on it and it doesnt wiggle.
Also check out these detailed directions forpropagating hydrangeas.
To maintain the variegation, it is best to give it a bit more shade.
‘Silver Lining’
The dark green leaves of this cultivar have a silver or white variegation.
Its attractive foliage almost outshines the clusters of white, domed flowers in the summer.
Firefly has deeply serrated dark green leaves with broad golden-yellow margins that fade to yellow-green as the season progresses.
The vine has an upright climbing habit.
Bleeding heart plants are quick to come up in the spring and swiftly grow to full size.
It is best planted where it receives partial shade or sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon.
In the spring, the plants are loaded with spires of foamy white flowers.
It is a perfect groundcover to meander between clumps of established hostas or ferns.
Both add eye-catching texture to the garden from spring through fall.
Its foliage is compact and tidy while its flower stems tend to be pleasingly wayward and frothy.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Hydrangea.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
