Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris)

Description

Climbing Hydrangea is native to the woodlands of Japan and coastal China. The lacy, creamy-white blooms are 6 to 10" in diameter and appear in late June or early July. Climbing hydrangea can reach heights of 50 to 80 feet if it has the support of a large tree to do so. It looks great on tall trees, on stone pillars, on brick walls or cascading over a rock pile. It is not overly aggressive like some vines can be. Dr. Michael Dirr, author of the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants calls it "The Best Vine!" Climbing Hydrangea is not the fastest plant to establish and growth will be slow for several years after planting. Once established the growth will improve with each passing year. In poorly drained soil you must raise the soil level by incorporating leaf leaf mold, compost or as we do pine bark mulch. Our best performing climbing hydrangea is growing out of the ground in a concrete container. That kind of summs up what they like. Zone 4-9. (they do not like our humid southern climate)