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Climbing Hydrangea - planted wrong
thedjjj
Posts: 84
Hi,
I bought a hydrangea petiolaris anomala in spring and planted it up by a fence I was hoping it would grow up.
However, I have planted it upright instead of what I think I should have done - angled toward the fence. Or is that only right for clematis or other climbers? There is a branch that is climbing up but the main plant is just a bit of bulk in the middle.
Is there anything I can do or is it OK where it is? I don't have a close up to hand now but can get one later.
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We have a couple that have grown away well, just go with what you've done they'll be fine.
The reason for angling climbing plants is because they need to be planted well away from the base of a fence or wall to avoid being stuck in their rain shadow. An initial bit of guidance back to the support you want them growing up is then necessary, either by using a cane propped against the wall/fence, or by untangling the stems and tying into a wire or trellis etc. Often it's a bit of both.
Hydrangeas are self clinging, so they only need a bit of a helping hand when first planted. Try guiding the new growth towards the fence while it's soft and pliable, and tying it onto a couple of vine eyes with wire. If the spot you have it in has moisture retentive soil, is in the direct path of incoming rain, and doesn't get dried out, you might be ok.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
How high it that fence? What material is it made of? I hope it's a North facing aspect, or at least North-East. The hydrangea petiolaris anomala hates the sun.
You do not say how far away from your fence is the main stem. As Fairygirl wrote, gentle guidance may be necessary while the plant is still young. It should take a couple of years before the plant starts clinging for good to the fence and sending shoots upwards (and ... Northwards).
And yes, a photo would help.
The fence is west - north facing, and in heavy clay - shaded for the most part with a little bit of late afternoon sun though that's mainly dappled.
I will most likely be applying the gripple trellis system to the fence, to grow other climbers on part of the fence that does get full sun, and to hopefully aid a little with preventing rot if I can train the stems into the wire instead of direct on the fence. Presumably I train this upwards rather than horizontally like a clematis might be trained ?
Ours are just a few inches away from the wall. The older one 6years is on a corner east and north, about 12feet on each wall. The new root cutting planted last year (north wall) is only 2foot up a fence, finding its own way
Climbing hydrangeas aren't like clematis in the way they climb. It won't really work if you try to train it on wires - it'll want to be onto the fence directly, and I doubt it would be successful because of the eventual weight and size if it's happy in it's location.
Personally, I don't really think they're suitable for fences either - unless it's a very substantial one. They're really best on a wall.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Again, what material is the fence made of?
Thanks fairy girl. It's still young enough to move or dig up.
What would you suggest for that fence, here at the back?
the hydrangea is in the middle
Fairygirl has very sound advice and I totally agree. Fences like that will not be strong enough longterm. I have seen many fences falling down or ripped off by similar style climbers and this hydrangea is one of them. Pyracantha, Firethorn, if carefully trained on wires from early can be almost self supporting. There's flowers and lots of lovely berries. The shaping and training is not heavy work, a bit like clipping a box plant. You can have it dense or just covered lightly all controlled by your pruning.
Last edited: 25 July 2017 22:36:57