Climbing Hydrangea
The Climbing Hydrangea, An Ideal Plant For Some Gardens
A climbing Hydrangea sounds like an anomaly to most of us who are more used to seeing a Hydrangea in the form of a bush or shrub. It's probably fair to say that most of us have never seen a climbing Hydrangea, or simply wouldn't notice it if it were not in bloom. This vining plant however can be an ideal plant for a garden in which space is limited or where there exist some bare shaded areas that need filling in.
As far as space is concerned, the climbing Hydrangea grows upward more than outward, so does not take up very much room in that respect. It can be trained to grow horizontally, such as along a fence, and can even be used as a ground cover of sorts, if just left to crawl along the ground on its own. It's really at its most attractive though when allowed to climb. As far as shady spots are concerned, it's no secret that most hardy flowering vines prefer full sun and generally will not do very well in shade. The climbing Hydrangea is a little different in this respect. It will do very well in partial shade, and will grow in full shade, though it may not bloom as profusely under such conditions. It is a good candidate for full shade if it is the foliage that is of primary interest.
Tree Friendly – Deer Friendly Too - Another nice feature of this vining plant is that you don't have to worry about it strangling a nearby tree. In fact, you can use a tree for support and the tree and the Hydrangea will coexist nicely. There hasn't been any record of reports of trees suffering "death by Hydrangea". The vine climbs by attaching to any supporting structure with aerial roots, so one does not have to be constantly tying the vines and branches to keep the plant upright. Add to that the vine's tendency towards being pest and disease resistant, any it becomes somewhat of an easy keeper. One thing that needs to be watched out for is the fact that deer find the climbing Hydrangea good eating. They won't necessarily flock to the plant, but a single deer could do plenty of damage in a short time. If an occasional deer wanders through your property, some thought should be given towards finding a way of protecting the Hydrangea, and probably protecting a few other choice plants as well.
The botanical designation for the climbing Hydrangea is Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris (an anomaly?). It is a deciduous perennial, hardy in USDA Zones 4-7, but in its dormant stage it can withstand subzero temperatures for a short period. If properly cared for, and allowed to, the climbing Hydrangea can reach a height of 50 feet. Its blossoms, referred to as lace caps, are typically 5 to 6 inches wide, and cream to creamy white in color. The blossoms also have a pleasant fragrance.
The climbing Hydrangea prefers a rich, loamy, and slightly acidic soil which should also be kept moist, especially when the plant is young. It is a slow grow at first, and one may wonder if it is every going to do anything. All of a sudden though, it will seem to just take off, at which time it transforms into a beautiful and well-established plant. Pruning isn't generally required unless the height is to be controlled, or the vine is to be trained in a certain way. It can be pruned back to a shrub form if desired. In summary, the climbing Hydrangea is an attractive and somewhat versatile plant, which will fit in most gardens quite nicely.