Climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris comes from the Far East (Japan, Kuryle, Sakhalin, Korea), in our climate it is completely frost-resistant. It climbs with the help of adherent roots, its shoots twine slightly around the support.Strongly adheres to rough surfaces, but (especially in youth) it is advisable to place support elements that will prevent the climber from tearing off the support.After several years, the plant may reach a height of over 10 meters.
Climbing hydrangea does not grow very quickly, because approx.0.5-1 meters. It tolerates almost as much shade as ivy.Semi-shaded positions with fresh, humus-rich soil with a slightly acidic reaction suit the best.It does not tolerate drought, especially for several years after planting.
It looks most attractive during flowering, usually at the end of June and beginning of July. The umbellate inflorescences with a diameter of 15-25 cm can cover the support tightly, like a veil.Climbing hydrangea inflorescences are surrounded by a wreath of white barren flowers, about 2 cm in diameter, the center is filled with smaller greenish-white fertile flowers, which are beneficial for bees.Fruits are not very effective, but they are food for birds.
In winter, climbing hydrangea is decorated with highly branched, slightly twisted shoots covered with red-brown or vermillion-brown bark. The long-tailed leaves develop early in spring, turn yellow in fall and usually remain long on the shrubs.Early development of leaves may cause damage to them by the May frosts.
The Japanese Schizophragma hydrangeoides is very similar to the climbing hydrangea. It occurs naturally in the mountains of Japan, where, together with the climbing hydrangea, it climbs tree trunks and lays at their base.Japanese pottery is a spectacular ornamental climber that "climbs" with clinging roots to a height of over 6 m, and in its homeland up to 12 m.It has almost the same habitat requirements as the climbing hydrangea. It grows best in slightly acidic, fresh soils in partial shade.
Its later, usually about two weeks, corymbose inflorescences (diameter up to 25 cm) smell pleasantly honey. The main decoration is large (3-5 cm) white plots of sterile flowers (similar to flower buds), forming a wreath around the inflorescence.They bloom from the end of June to the second half of July.The leaves are wide-oval-round, coarsely serrated, dark green, turning yellow in autumn. It is suitable for planting walls, trees, pergolas and as a ground cover plant.It should not be led near light fences because it is too heavy.
The abundant growth of the vetch is favored by high air humidity. It grows best in northern or semi-shaded, sheltered positions.Young plants do not tolerate direct sunlight, while the top of the older plant can grow in full sun, this will favor its abundant flowering.
Hydrangea for trees, walls, gazebos, pergolas …
Climbing hydrangea badly climbs the fresh lime-cement plaster. Only after a few years, when the substrate loses its "sticky" properties for the sticky roots, will it begin its normal growth. So that the shoots do not "fall off" such a wall, it is advisable to place supporting elements every 2-3 metersHydrangea is usually planted near trees, but it also looks very attractive when guided on walls and walls.Ideally suited for planting gazebos or pergolas, provided that they have a strong structure.
It can also grow without supports, as a picturesque ground cover plant, reaching a height of 1-2 m. It is then recommended to plant two or four plants per m2.In nurseries, climbing hydrangea is propagated from cuttings, while in in amateur conditions, the easiest way to get it is through layering.
Vetch planting and care
When planting young plants near walls, it is best to lay the shoots on the ground or tie them to supports to strengthen them until the sticky roots become active and start to hold on to themselves.For the first two or three years after After planting, the vetch grows slowly, developing the root system during this time.When it is rooted well, reaching groundwater, it begins to grow rapidly, over 1m per year.
W 2.-3. one year after planting, it can start flowering. It does not require pruning, but tolerates the height correction spring pruning well.Japanese stew is sufficiently frost-resistant (zone 5-8) in a larger area of Poland. In spring, its leaves may be damaged by stronger frosts.
