Grow climbing hydrangeas in partial to full shade, using well-drained, moist soil. Provide sturdy support, water regularly, and mulch to retain moisture. Prune in late winter.
How to Grow Climbing Hydrangeas
Climbing hydrangeas grow best in partial to full shade conditions in well-drained, moist soil that requires regular irrigation and mulch for moisture retention. Strong support must also be provided regularly while pruning should take place during late winter.
Climbing hydrangeas make an excellent climbing plant that covers shaded walls or fences in either north or east-facing locations; making an effective wall cover. They make great covering plants when planted near houses for added color on interior or exterior walls as well.
Hydrangea seemannii and Hydrangea serratifolia are two evergreen climbing hydrangea species with evergreen leaves that need shelter to thrive, such as Mexico’s Hydrangea seemannii with domed flower-heads of greenish-white blooms surrounded by white bracts, while Chile and Argentina’s Hydrangea serratifolia feature large, coarse leaves topped by panicles of creamy white blooms. Both require warm conditions in which to grow well.
Climbing hydrangeas are robust plants, yet may take multiple years to establish and bloom fully. Make sure there’s enough space: Hydrangea petiolaris may reach 12mx 8m after 10-15 years while evergreen varieties usually spread 10m x 3m wide.
How to Grow Climbing Hydrangeas
Hydrangea petiolaris blooms best when located in moist yet well-drained soil in shade or partial shade, where its shoots can be trained onto galvanized wires or trellises positioned along walls or sturdy fences and fed through galvanized wires or trellises to self-clinging aerial roots that form over time. Avoid drying out periods – add well-rotted manure/compost to mulch annually during spring in order to retain moisture levels; additionally prune after flowering occurs every summer for optimal results if cultivating Hydrangea seemsannii/ serratifolia cultivating in an ideal location is essential!
Where to Plant Climbing Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas thrive best in partial shade conditions – not too bright nor too dim – where their flowers won’t fade too rapidly in sunlight. Hydrangea petiolaris will still bloom under sunnier skies, though its blooms won’t last as long. Young growth is more vulnerable to frost damage in spring; therefore it should be situated away from frost pockets and strong winds for best results.
Climbing hydrangeas thrive in most soil conditions, from acidic to alkaline environments. A moist yet well-drained environment is optimal.
When to Plant Hydrangeas
Spring or autumn are ideal times to sow hydrangea seeds; during these seasons the soil remains warm and damp. Planting during the summer can still be done, though you’ll need to monitor moisture levels closely for best results.
How to Plant Hydrangea Petiolaris
Hydrangea petiolaris foliage may irritate skin, so gloves must always be worn when handling. They thrive best in moist soil; to create this environment in light conditions add organic matter like well-rotted manure or compost before planting your hydrangeas. Water your plant well an hour or two before transplanting and ensure no deeper than its original pot depth is taken during planting – use leaf mold mulch afterward as an ideal method. Also, provides regular irrigation throughout its first spring and summer period.
Hydrangea petiolaris should initially be trained onto galvanized wires or trellis. After one season of growth, its aerial roots should affix themselves and form self-clinging aerial roots which you must guide and direct along their course. When growing plants along a fence, make sure the fence is strong as mature climbing hydrangeas can become weighty; in any event, their aerial roots shouldn’t cause damage to walls.
Caring for Climbing Hydrangeas
Every spring, mulch your climbing hydrangeas with leaf mold, well-rotted manure, or compost – not food as this encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Hydrangeas tend to wilt in hot weather when planted up walls are in a “rain shadow”, meaning that when rain does come, their roots do not receive sufficient soaking from it! Therefore they must receive sufficient water during hot spells in summer.
How to Prune Hydrangea Petiolaris
Climbing hydrangeas should be pruned in late summer after flowering has ended after you’ve removed any flower buds at the top. Hydrangea petiolaris requires light pruning as most flower buds develop at its topmost tiers; cut back flower-covered shoots to two new buds at their base. If your plant has become overgrown, cut it back harder in autumn or spring before proceeding further with pruning efforts.
After they have flowered in summer, prune Hydrangea seemannii and Hydrangea serratifolia to fit their space by trimming.
How to Propagate Hydrangea Petiolaris
Follow these instructions on taking and watering Hydrangea cuttings to propagate them successfully.
How to Grow Climbing Hydrangeas by Layering
One of the simplest and quickest ways to propagate climbing hydrangeas is through layering in spring. Locate a young, healthy branch that dips low or long enough to pin to the ground; using a knife or secateurs remove leaves from the stem, making a shallow cut just below a bud on newly emerging wood, clearing away leaves as necessary and then applying soil conditioner and using long hooked wire pin down that section pinned with soil improver, watering well into growing season and placing a brick on top will ensure its success during growing season!
Softwood cuttings can be taken in spring to propagate climbing hydrangeas by taking softwood cuttings. In the morning, search for young non-flowering shoots with three sets of leaves that show growth potential. For optimal results, prepare cutting material immediately; otherwise, place it in a plastic bag in a cool shed. Remove two lower leaves before shortening the stem by cutting below the node and insert cutting into cutting compost (more than one cutting can go into each pot as long as leaves don’t touch). Water cuttings thoroughly and cover them with a clear plastic bag before watering in and covering them with a clear plastic bag to protect them from sunlight exposure. Once signs of growth appear pot up plants into containers placed in shadier spots.
Climbing Hydrangeas: Solving Problems
Slow Growth:
Your plant may take time to establish itself. Poor growth could also be due to lack of water; climbing plants often fall within a “rainshadow”, meaning rain does not reach their base as easily. Mulch regularly in spring for moisture retention in soil, and water regularly during dry weather in summer for best results.
Hydrangea petiolaris takes several years to reach full bloom. Failure of flowers on mature plants could be due to incorrect pruning. Climbing hydrangeas produce flowers on last year’s shoots, so for maximum flower development in subsequent years prune in summer right after flowering (don’t cut back too heavily!). For optimal results.
Brown Spots on Leaves
This is a leaf spot, a fungal infection that occurs in humid and warm conditions with poor air circulation. Any affected leaves should be removed as soon as you spot them and when watering, direct the excess towards the base of your plant rather than directly onto its leaves for best results and increase airflow around it whenever possible.
Hydrangea scale is a sap-sucking insect found on hydrangeas that, in extreme cases, can cause poor growth and leaf loss. You might spot its eggs, coated in white waxy material in early summer. Mature scale insects appear as brown blobs on leaves. If serious infestation exists, use an organic insecticide formulated from plant oils or fatty acids-based insecticide to spray in July; otherwise predators such as birds will help naturally decrease populations.
FAQs
Q1. Can climbing hydrangeas be propagated via cuttings?
Absolutely – climbing hydrangeas can easily be propagated via cuttings.
Q2. Does climbing hydrangea have any scent?
Climbing hydrangea does have a faint, sweet fragrance.
Q3. How can I successfully grow hydrangeas step-by-step?
To successfully cultivate hydrangeas, plant in well-draining soil with partial shade for best results, water regularly and prune when necessary.
Q4. Which climbing hydrangea species would work well in full shade conditions?
In these circumstances, Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris would make an ideal selection.