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Name That Plant!

Hmmm, climbing hydrangea?

11 years ago

This photos was taken in August/zone 5. I'm inclined to believe based on the leaves and blooms that this is a climbing hydrangea, but not being familiar with them, it appears to be structured more like a small shrub than a vine.... hence my confusion. Hopefully a wiser owl can confirm or contradict this. Thanks in advance for your help!

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Comments (3)

carol23_gw
11 years ago
It's Hydrangea paniculata.
luis_pr
11 years ago
I concur with carol23. The panicle shaped blooms suggest that it is a paniculata. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris) has white lacecap blooms (see the link below for a picture). It prefers to climb up a "surface" (tree, fence, etc) or spread on the ground, as opposed to creating a bush like the one on the picture.

Paniculatas will develop white panicle-shaped large blooms in June but some like Tardiva may bloom much later. After 3-4 weeks, the white blooms will change color. They are very cold hardy and will tolerate growing in clayish soils (up to a point). While some dwarf versions are being introduced lately, most tend to be 8-10 feet tall or more. Grandiflora (also known as Pee Gee) will get even taller and can be grown as a tree. The large blooms can be a problem sometimes when they get wet, causing an arching shrub effect.

Some well known paniculatas: Burgundy Lace, Grandiflora, Kyushu, Limelight (Little Lime is the dwarf version), Pee Wee, Pink Diamond, Pinky Winky, Tardiva, Unique, Vanilla Strawberry, White Moth, etc

Close up of the blooms:
http://www.botanikfoto.com/en/details/image-photo-climbing-hydrangea-hydrangea-anomala-petiolaris-472397.php

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of a climbing hydrangea in bloom
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Thanks for the input. It's really good to hear from other gardeners. There is no doubt it is a climbing hydrangea and was labelled correctly, but I appreciate that thought. The zone thing is interesting, and frankly I never thought of that. It doesn't get dieback from the winter though (unlike my magnolia and other things that are a little out of zone) and gets a snowcover that covers all the height to date. The trellis that has been behind it for the hydrangea's life - likely more like 15 years, was not purchased trellis but a rough one my husband made out of hand cut 1x3 inch pieces. Now, the pieces were spaced 8-10 inches apart so perhaps this is part of the problem, not enough surface area to "grip". Just a few months ago this trellis had to come down for repairs on the shed, but there wer very few little aerial rootlets clinging anyway - only the largest of the about 20 different stems coming up from the base seemed to have any. Unfortunately the shed is siding, and I don't have another place to relocate the climbing hydrangea, so I guess what I need is some sort of solid fence like trellis with slats closer together. Any suggestions on fertilizing/soil amendements?
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hi there, i have 3 climbing hydrangeas, 2 are in their 3rd summer, and one is in it's second summer. the two older ones are on the south side of our (stucco)house, with one getting more sun and one getting a little afternoon shade. the one that gets a little more shade is taking off this year, almost 10-12 ft high. the other one is a little slower, i suspect that the additional sun and a little less water due to it's location might be why. still blooming and happy though, and filling in quite a bit from the bottom this year, but only at about 5 feet. the two year old north sider is also growing, at about 5-6 feet now. i think they are worth the wait, i've seen some big established ones around and they are beautiful. i also have a moonlight schizophragma planted next to the taller of the 3 yr old hydrangeas, and that is taking off, much higher than any of them, and is really beautiful. you may want to plant one of those too, for quicker gratification, and also to "extend" the bloom time, since they tend to bloom a couple of weeks after the hydrangea, and climbs in the same way. i think the combination is really nice too. good luck!
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I have a climbing hydrangea that is 3 years old and almost 6 ft tall, with several laterals. I have trained mine through a trellis--here's a pic: Mine also tries to spread across the ground--I just cut them off--I figure keeping them just diverts the plant's energy from growing taller and spreading farther. Since trimming them again this year, I've noticed the laterals are putting on new growth. The lack of growth of your plant may be due to placement or watering or both. My vine gets morning sun and afternoon shade and I water very frequently (every other day at the least.) I recently removed several roses from that trellis--while there, the roses were fertilized regularly, so the vine benefitted from proximity to them. Hope this helps!
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@luis_pr you wrote: "Other species of hydrangea grow shallow, tiny, fibrous roots mostly around the top 4" only so I doubt they will push up the pavers much unless the pavers were already loose. They also need frequent watering and am not sure they will get enough water.Probably enough at first but not long term... as they start to grow under the pavers, they will not get enough moisture. The roots will then be dried out by the pavers during the day. Then at night, the pavers will release heat, just as the hydrangea roots expect some cooling. Not necessarily good conditions for the mopheads." Your prediction of what happens when they start growing under pavers and not get enough water - is interesting and sounds logical. I wonder if this is why I have trouble with some jasmins I have planted along these same pavers. Their opening is also 18"x8". I lost one last year after it lived 3 yrs and now I'm losing another one. It looks like it is dying from thirst even though It's getting drip irrigation water every day. Could the cause be the scenario you describe? There are still 4 other jasmins planted the same way (in little openings in pavers) that seem to be doing well.
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Embothrium
11 years ago
Like many other climbing shrubs climbing hydrangea forms a mound where a vertical support that would take it higher is not present. But, apart from other differences from H. paniculata its stems angle downward rather than up.

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