First it sleeps, then it creeps, then it leaps.
This old gardener’s saying perfectly describes this flowering vine.
The hydrangea is the undisputed Queen of the Southern Garden.
Credit: bkkm/Getty Images
Early spring is the best time to plant them.
The plants can also be pruned to maintain a shrub-like form.
The vines commonly don’t bloom until they are three to five years old, so just be patient.
Plant your hydrangea in rich, well-drained soil and provide some protection from hot afternoon sun in the South.
Light
Climbing hydrangea is one of the fewhardy flowering vinesthat tolerate shade.
In hot climates, choose a location where the plant will get dappled sunlight or partial shade.
Climbing hydrangeas that do get more sun tend to bloom better.
Soil
Climbing hydrangea needs a rich, moist, well-drained soil.
If your soil needs improvement, mix in a generous amount of compost before planting.
Water
As with other hydrangea plants, this species likes consistently moist soil.
Place it where it will get watered about 1 inch weekly, or even more often in hot weather.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4 through 8.
Climbing hydrangea does well in temperate climates but may wilt in hot, humid conditions.
Fertilizer
Fertilize this plant in the spring before the leaves begin to bud.
Granular fertilizer with a high phosphorous count will encourage beautiful blooms.
Fertilize again after the flowers have bloomed in the summer.
Types Of Climbing Hydrangea
Most nurseries sell climbing hydrangeas under the species name only.
‘Miranda’ has green variegated foliage with creamy yellow margins.
You probably won’t need to prune at all for the first few years.
Once the plants are established, however, climbing hydrangea tends to grow vigorously.
You canprune the vinesto keep them under control, but wait until summer after the flowers have finished blooming.
Also, remove dead or damaged vines at that time.
Propagating Climbing Hydrangea
Climbing hydrangea can bepropagated by cuttings.
Fill a pot with moist soil and place the seeds on top of the soil.
The seeds should germinate in about two weeks.
Remove the plastic and water regularly to keep the soil moist.
you might transplant in spring once temperatures begin to warm.
Overwintering
Before freezing temperatures arrive, give your moisture-loving hydrangea a good watering.
Add a thick layer of mulch to conserve warmth and moisture.
Your hydrangea will set buds only if there are six weeks of temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
A sudden frost can damage flower buds that are about to open.
Deer do enjoy snacking on hydrangea flowers that are within their reach.
A littlepowdery mildewmight occur in humid conditions, but won’t cause much harm.
Most problems involve getting the vines going and keeping them in check.
Smooth, hard surfaces like metal may not be suitable for attaching.
Wires or staples can help secure vines until rootlets take hold.
Remove vines that may cause the weight of the hydrangea to become unbalanced and detach.
Vines Overgrown
Once it gets going, a climbing hydrangea will become massive unless you prune regularly.
Prune each year after flowering in summer to remove growth that is out-of-bounds.
Climbing hydrangea is deciduous and will lose its leaves in winter.
The vines have attractive, cinnamon-brown, exfoliating bark.
Schizophragma hydrangeoidesis a related plant recently reclassified as a hydrangea.
It may be labeled as Japanese hydrangea vine or false hydrangea.
False hydrangea has single, ovate petals while climbing hydrangea has clusters of four or five petals.
Japanese hydrangea vine may have pink or white petals.
Climbing hydrangeas live for decades, possibly for 50 years or longer.
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.Hydrangea anomala.
