Climbing
Hydrangea
Q:
What does it take to make a climbing hydrangea
flower? Ours was planted 3 years ago and is growing
energetically. It's in a protected nook near
the
patio and gets very little direct sunlight, but
doesn't act sun starved. We gave it a shot of
slow release fertilizer on planting, and once
since. Somewhat inadvertently it gets plenty
of
water, since the hose spigot is nearby and leaks,
but drainage does not seem to be the problem.
It now fully occupies an 8-foot trellis but shows
no interest in flowering. Is it youth, lack of
sun, too much or too little fertilizer, bugs,
lack of pruning or what? When do these plants
bloom and what conditions do they like?
A: Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala
subsp. petiolaris) is a choice vine with rich,
vigorous, dark green foliage, growing ultimately
to 20 feet high and 10 feet wide. The extra moisture
it gets is good, and it can bloom in shade. Brent
Horvath, president and grower at Intrinsic Gardens,
Hebron, has seen it blooming beautifully under
a canopy of trees.
After weighing all the cultural factors you described,
Horvath has concluded that your vine may be immature
and will need a couple more years before it flowers.
Climbing hydrangea matures very slowly, especially
when it's sold in 2 gallon containers. Back
to top
Trumpet Vine
Q. Will a trumpet vine growing on a tree harm it?
A. Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is
a vigorous vine which can climb to the top of a tree in one season and spreads by suckering roots. It blooms in full sun in clusters of 3-inch-long orange tubes with flaring scarlet lobes.
The vine will not harm an
established tree but a young tree could be stressed.
"There may be root competition between the vine and the tree for
moisture, especially if your tree needs
a lot of water. However, trumpet vines can grow with less moisture. When
customers claim their vine does not bloom, it is because they are watering and pampering it too much," says Lori Harms, greenhouse manager, Countryside Nursery and Garden Center, Crystal Lake. Back to top
