Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) – Flowering plants

Climbing hydrangea is an attractive ornamental, evergreen, woody climbing, deciduous vine plant that grows up to 9-15 m tall and 1-2 wide. It has deciduous, ovate, with a heart-shaped base, coarsely serrated margin, and acute apex. The lovely green leaves are turning butter-yellow in autumn. It produces larger flower clusters, fewer showy sterile flowers per cluster, more than 10 stamens per flower. The fruit is a dry urn-shaped capsule containing several small winged seeds.

Scientific classification

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Genus: Hydrangea
Species: H. petiolaris
Scientific Name: Hydrangea petiolaris Siebold & Zucc.
Common Name: Climbing hydrangea
synonyms: Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris

How to grow and care for Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

Light

It thrives best from bright, indirect sunlight to partial shade. Provide at least 4 hours of bright, indirect sunlight every day.

Soil

It grows well in well-drained, peat-based soil.

Water

Water regularly during the growing season. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Keep the soil barely moist in winter.

Temperature

It prefers to grow at a temperature below 60°F/16°C. Keep your hydrangea plant as cool as possible to prolong the flowering time.

Fertilizer

Fertilize every two weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) diluted by half. Or, use a slow-release fertilizer once in spring and again in summer.

Propagation

It can be easily propagated by stem tip cuttings. Take 4-inch stem tip cuttings in spring or early summer and root them in a moist potting mix. Also can be propagated by seeds.

Pests and Diseases

It has no serious pest or disease problems. Some susceptibility to bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, and mildew. Aphids are occasional visitors.