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Tree climber
I have a beautiful mature ash tree in my garden which does not appear to have any signs of ash die back.
I'd like to grow a Hydrangea petiolaris up the trunk but I don't want to compromise the tree.
I don't want to grow a montana as I already have one on the fence near the tree.
Is it fairly safe growing a hydrangea up trees?
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My experience of gardening under ash trees is that they have a lot of roots are very near the surface - shrubs struggle underneath them and the only plants that cope are those that can cope with quite dry conditions - Hydrangea petiolaris doesn't really fit that description in my experience.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hydrangea petiolaris is much better on a wall. It likes to spread out sideways. I would be inclined to leave an ash tree on its own.
Ok thanks to you both, I will find somewhere else for it.
This T& M page is quite good as it separates plants into dry shade and damp shade and there is a table further down listing possible plants. Good luck with your project
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants-for-shade
Beth Chatto has (or had, I haven't been lately) a lovely Hiydrangea petiolaris growing up a tree.
http://www.growsonyou.com/sheilabub/blog/20273-meeting-beth-chatto-june-2012
It's on the link but the best pic is in her Woodland Garden book
Having said that, I wouldn't put anything up a dead tree. Bits start falling off sooner or later
In the sticks near Peterborough