If you want to spruce up your outdoor area in a special way and achieve the effect of ivy, you can alternatively choose the climbing hydrangea (Anomalous hydrangeasbsp. petiolar) decide. In terms of ease of care and growth, this beautiful plant is in no way inferior to ivy, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular with hobby gardeners - be it simply for decoration or as a privacy screen. We have put together some interesting and useful tips about climbing hydrangeas for you.
Plant in sun or shade?
In order for your plant to thrive, grow and bloom, it is of course important that you find a location for the climbing hydrangea that meets its requirements. A really big plus point is that the climbing hydrangea even thrives in the shade. That's why it's the perfect choice if you want to plant in a space that might be more of a challenge for others.
During thePartial shade as an ideal locationapplies, it can also be planted in other places and can thrive there without any problems, albeit a little more slowly, provided it is protected from wind. Then even frost can't harm it. As for the soil, it is best to provide climbing hydrangeas with slightly acidic or neutral soil that is moist but well-drained. The plant does not tolerate dry or clayey soils.
Back and shape cuts
Keep in mind that even in ideal site conditions, this plant grows rather slowly, especially in the first few years when it still has to establish itself. This is also a reason why it is unnecessary to cut climbing hydrangeas in the first few years. Only later is a topiary cut possible and in some cases even necessary to promote even growth.
You can also encourage flower growth with regular cuts. You should know that the flowers are particularly lush on annual and biennial wood. If you want to increase the amount of flowers, you can shorten the younger shoots. Otherwise, it is sufficient if you just remove dead plant parts. AndWhen do you cut?Climbing hydrangeas? Autumn or winter are the best times.
When should you plant climbing hydrangeas and at what intervals?
Spring is best suited, but the plant is so robust that you can definitely try it at another time of the year. Here it can be a little earlier. It is best to plant several plants about 60 cm apart from each other.
At what distance should you plant the climbing hydrangea from the wall?
No matter whether it's a wall, fence, trees or other surface - it should be rough so that the roots have a good grip. On the whole, these are strong enough to stick to almost all surfaces, but you should keep in mind that the plant will become heavier over the years, which of course also puts a strain on the adhesive roots. It shouldn't be too smooth.
It is also advisable to protect a wall by not letting the plants climb directly up it, but rather by installing an additional climbing aid that is 10 to 15 cm away from the wall. This is a good idea, especially for plastered walls.
What is important when fertilizing?
In order for the climbing plant to produce magnificent leaves and flowers and grow well, it naturally needs sufficient nutrients. It is recommended to go special during the summer seasonFertilizer for hydrangeasCarefully work it into the top layer of soil to fertilize climbing hydrangeas.
When does the climbing plant bloom?
So-called umbrella panicles in white color decorate the plant between June and July and, with their diameter of a full 25 cm, stand out wonderfully against the dark green leaves. The plant is also insect-friendly because its pleasant scent attracts pollinators and thus serves as a source of food for them. The only downside is that this hydrangea takes many years to produce its first flowers. Usually you should assume five to eight years before the climbing hydrangea has its first flowering period.
How to propagate the plant?
You propagate climbing hydrangeas through cuttings or offshoots. You can easily get the latter by sticking the lower shoots into the ground. After a certain amount of time, roots form on their own. You get cuttings from annual shoots that you cut to about 15 cm. Remove the leaves from half of this stem and cut the remaining leaves back in half. This should reduce the water requirement of the stem. Place this cutting in moist soil that is as nutrient-poor as possible. It will grow roots in a short time.
Can climbing hydrangeas thrive in pots?
However! And that's really practical if you want to have the climbing hydrangea on the balcony to provide a green privacy screen. Here too, it is important to avoid waterlogging at all costs. Loose and permeable soil, preferably with drainage, is a big must. Nevertheless, the substrate should be able to retain moisture to avoid drying out, as this happens quite quickly, especially in plant containers. The same applies to fertilizing, which you should definitely not neglect. Climbing hydrangeas also require plenty of space and do not like repotting. Therefore, right away, choose the largest possible bucket that you can also usestable climbing aidequip.
Popular varieties for gardens and containers
You will find different climbing hydrangea varieties to choose from. “Cordifolia” is a short-growing variety, while with “Miranda” and “Silver Lining” you can expect a growth height of up to 3 meters. The latter loses in winternottheir leaves and thus decorate your outdoor area. If you want your climbing hydrangeas to be evergreen, there is also a chance with the “Semiola” variety, but the climate must be milder. What is interesting about this breeding is that the new shoots initially have a red hue.
