Hydrangea Petiolaris
Hydrangea Petiolaris a climbing plant which absolutely thrives in our Aberdeen garden
Most climbing plants require support with trellis or wire,and very often a degree of skill with pruning and training the branches.
The self clinging Hydrangea Petiolaris is a climber that is easy to grow and will take care of itself other than maybe cutting back some of the branches that grow outwards,if you feel they have become too long.
It does not grow as fast as ivy, but after a few years you will be rewarded with lovely white flowers. Flowering time is June to September’ Petiolaris attracts, bees and butterflies. Apart from the attractive flowers, this hydrangea also has shiny, fresh green foliage.
The climbing Hydrangea is an easy plant that thrives in the shade or semi shade. It likes humus rich soil with a neutral Ph .Petiolaris looks very good on a north-facing wall or fence especially during the flowering period, when it will brighten up a dull area beautifully.
The plant can reach a height of twelve metres or more, and a width up to five metres,however you don’t have to let it grow that large it can be pruned back in autumn or early spring. Another bonus is the lovely yellow colour which the leaves turn in Autumn.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given it it’s prestigious award of garden merit.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Position – Part/full shade
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February 28th the weather has turned milder a hint of spring is in the air. (What’s in flower in our garden) The Hamamelis is still hanging on, Sarcococca is running a little late, should be showing its small white perfumed blooms in the next week or so.
Snowdrops Nivalis in the front garden.
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This is an early flowering Crocus placed on a raised border in the patio.
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The late winter flowering white Heather Erica hasn’t quite reached full bloom.
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Same goes for the pale lilac one
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Here we have a shot of the main area of our back garden on the last day of February. Over the last few years we have made some attempt to give a better winter look than we once had. we could of course take it further, however I am not so keen to compromise the Summer show any more than we have.
If you happen to leave a comment I will be sure to visit your site and do the same
Hi Alistair. Thanks for your comments. I will have to do further research into growing the climbing hydrangea in a tub as for the rest of the garden as you say we have to take it as it comes and slow down. I think it is getting close to having to down-size. It will be a hard decision but one we shall eventually have to take. Hope you can keep your garden for a long time yet. It is very lovely and I am sure not only a joy to you but also to neighbours and passers by.
Thank you again. Good luck.
Hi Mary, I know how you feel, we are not getting any younger ourselves. Should we stay in this house with the relatively large garden or not. I think we may well take it as it comes, just have to slow down. I have never grown a plant as vigorous as the climbing Hydrangea in a tub, I just have a feeling it wouldn’t work out very well. As for creating a large garden which gives low maintenance, it just couldn’t be done without back breaking work.I wish I could offer you some helpful suggestions but any ideas I may have would cost the earth. Good luck whatever you decide to do.
Hi Alistair. Your garden is beautiful and I am interested in the climbing hydrangea. I have just had one bought to hopefully cover a blank wall at the front of my house. However this will have to be in a pot and I wonder if it will be o.k. I have a very large rear garden but alas we are getting old and managing it is becoming difficult. I want to plant some ornamental trees to cloth the garden but without making too much work . Both my husband and I have health problems so we are trying to make things as easy as possible, Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Well some say that Camellias can be pruned at any time of the year. I would do it just after flowering which seems to be the more recognised time of year for the job.
Can i prune my camellelia in november
Yes Ginny, it really is worth the wait, however planted in the wrong spot you may wait forever.
Hello Andrea, You are quite correct that last shot was taken from the comfort indoors on a cold day. My photography skills don’t match my gardening ones. However with practise I am determined I will match the beautiful shots which you give us.
Hi Alistair, i’ve read the older posts and maybe your garden should already be put in the Hall of Fame, so must already be disqualified in the contest, or to give way also for others to win, haha! That Hydrangea is also very beautiful without the flowers and the snowdrops so elegant in that container. But may i know why in the garden last shot there was this whitish haze on top of the left brown grass? It seems like it was shot behind a glass window.
Alistair, that climbing hydrangea is so beautiful! Looks like it would be worth the wait for it to take hold.
Yes Janet, I have noticed that some years it is smothered with flowers and a little more sparse on others.
One of my favourite climbers Alistair, though for some reason we didn’t get as many flowers last year. I think perhaps a good feed is in order.
Yes it is a great plant Holley. I have two grandsons, not teenagers yet but I will remember your story.
Yes it is a great plant Mark. It does seem that it can be shy to flower for a few years, planting in the right spot can be a hit or a miss.
Hydrangea petiolaris is one of my favourite climbers Alistair! Love it for both the foliage and flowers. It can take years for it to romp away but when it does it is very vigorous 🙂
It is a climber worthy of a place in your garden Julia. Seems like they can take a few years before flowering, plant in a position that only gets sun for part of the day.
b-a-g, yes lawn is starting to make a recovery, plenty time on my hands these days for pruning and such like.
Thanks Soren, quite true Summer colour does take over.
That’s a shame that it never blooms, my first thought’s were that it was in a position that was perhaps in full sunshine, but perhaps that’s not so likely.
I love climbing hydrangea and have it in a very scenic spot in my garden, but it never blooms—in 15 years. It is very healthy, and I especially treasure its ornamental bark and form in winter.
I think your garden looks quite stunning; the grasses and evergreens really get their time in the spotlight, whereas they might be less conspicuous during summer bloom season.
I love, love, love your hydrangea!!! I planted one many years ago, pampered it, loved it, and while it was still small, foolishly let a teenage boy help me weed one day (he needed the money) and, even though I pointed it out to him – you guessed it – it got ‘weeded’ that day. 🙁 Your pictures have inspired me to put this on my list to try again. I will not be having any more teenage boys helping me weed!
Alistair, It’s good to see that your lawn is recovering from the snow mould attacks. It must take ages to trim all those bushes into shape.
I am in love with the climbing hydrangea, this is something I am now adding to my planting list for the year, thank you! I have over 12 hydrangeas at present and am always looking for new varieties to try. Your garden is gorgeous by the way.
Hi Donna, I have noticed that Petiolaris can be slow to take a hold but once it does it really makes a show of it.
Hi catmint, this Hydrangea is definitely worthy of its place in the garden. Dont worry about mistyped words, I am not very likely to notice themmm.
Hi Donna, I guess gardeners like ourselves are never fully satisfied. Thanks for your visits.
Thanks for your comments one, gardening is made all the more interesting by the very diverse nature of it.
I have this climbing hydrangea which has been slow to grow in the shay white garden, but I hope it will grow more and flower this year…what lovely flowers you have beginning to bloom and I love the winter garden…all the evergreens make it so lush..mine is very bare all winter especially with the snow…
Hi Alistair, I truly enjoy the sight of your beautiful and neat garden. It also reminds me that I have a whole lot of room for improvement. 🙂 Due to climate difference, I would not be able to grow what you do but I still like to come by to admire the beauty you have created.
Your hydrangea is quite remarkable and beautiful, both in and out of flower. And your winter backyard is lovely, does not need improvement from where I am sitting.
hi alastair, i find that hydrangea a million times more attractive than ivy. your garden looks really cosy and welcoming – cheers, catmint