Hmm, I've never heard of cl. hydrangea being a fast grower...mine wasn't until this year (year 3)-now, it's vining nicely up its trellis. Wish I could help you with your question--hopefully someone here will be able to offer some good advice.

Cl.hydrangea is potentialy huge vine and in order to support 40-50-60' tall vine with nutrients root system has to be accordinghly large and established.
Your 'replanting' set it back and it's now working more on roots than on top growth.
Be patient, it will grow. Eventualy. When she feels like she is 'ready'.
I have one that was sitting for 3 years and seemingly doing nothing. It grew only 3' in all those years in addition to 1' it was originaly. It took off this year and gained about 6' so far for just this season alone.
If you want to plant another one, don't waste time. Plant it now and it will start growing. Roots :-)

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!