The climbing hydrangea is characterized by a lush flower dress. In order for this to form and for healthy, strong growth to take place, an ideal location is a basic requirement. Find out what this looks like.
Ideal location for climbing hydrangeas
One of the most important site conditions is the space available for climbing hydrangeas. They can grow up to twelve meters high and five meters wide. So that their growth is not disturbed, the planting distance in the garden bed should be at least five meters. It gets narrower when other climbing plants climb up, such as the clematis (clematis). This can be placed about two meters apart if socialization is desired. Above all, you should pay attention to gutters, because climbing hydrangeas can damage them with their tendrils and clog drains. Of course, the “problem” can be solved if you cut regularly.
climbing aid
If the climbing hydrangea is to grow “controlled” upwards, a climbing aid is a good idea. When choosing the ideal place, it should then be ensured that the climbing aid has space and support. Free-standing climbing aids can be stabilized in the ground. They are correspondingly less suitable for terraces if drill holes/anchoring are not to be used. It is easier with climbing aids that can be attached to walls/walls. Whether these have to be as wide as the tendril support is a question of visual taste. In many cases, the tendrils that protrude beyond the end of the wall are used on terraces to create a side privacy screen or a “blooming” partition between two areas.
Notice: The climbing hydrangea can damage the plaster and/or cause cracks on walls with its fine roots on the tendrils. Although a climbing aid reduces the risk, it does not offer a 100 percent guarantee that it will not be damaged.
floor
For the perfect choice of location, the soil conditions should also be considered. Places where the soil is heavy and very calcareous are not suitable. Perfect locations for climbing hydrangeas meet the following soil conditions:
- rich in humus
- Fresh and fluffy
- water permeable
- Limescale/lime-free
- PH value: below 7.0
- Rhododendron soil is suitable for potted plants
Tip: If you want a pink climbing hydrangea to turn blue, you should ensure the soil has a pH value of between 4.0 and 4.5. This allows the blue coloring to be achieved.
sun and shadow
The climbing hydrangea only grows robustly and can form many flowers if the lighting conditions are optimal. Originally, it is primarily at home in forests, so it likes shady "natively". So it works without the sun.
The new location for the climbing hydrangea should have the following lighting conditions:
Climbing Hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris
- Ideal: semi-shady
- Shady - location on north walls possible (usually fewer flowers)
- Sun and bright, without direct sunlight (otherwise the flowers and leaves will burn)
humidity
The Hydrangea petiolaris prefers a lot of humidity. On a slope, water runs off faster than it sinks into the ground. There is a risk here that the climbing hydrangea will not receive enough moisture and will dry out if the watering can is not given plenty of water.
Climbing hydrangeas do not tolerate waterlogging either. Therefore sinks also do not offer a suitable location. A level location is recommended so that rainwater and irrigation water do not run off too quickly in large quantities and no waterlogging forms.
Consider possible location problems
Fragrance Sensitivity
Some like it, some don't: the scent of flowers. The climbing hydrangea offers plenty of this during the flowering period between May and June/July. It is sweet, delicate and reminiscent of jasmine. Anyone who reacts sensitively to the scent of flowers or does not want it to be mixed up with the scent of flowers from other plants should adhere to the following location details:
- Make sure there is sufficient distance to places where you are staying
- Avoid hydrangeas on small, narrow balconies
- If only the jasmine scent bothers you: cover it with a more pleasant scent (e.g. scented candles)
- reduce blooms
disturbance by bees
As soon as the first flowers of the climbing hydrangea open, it attracts bees, which use the plant as a source of food and extract the nectar from them. Bee accumulation is great for nature, but not always for people. You should consider the following when choosing a location:
- Move climbing hydrangeas away from dining tables
- Dogs like to chase bees/wasps - when eating, there is a risk of suffocation due to sting swelling in the worst case
- Playgrounds or sandboxes should be at a sufficient distance from the plant
- Allergy sufferers: advisable to avoid the hydrangea plant if a large distance is not guaranteed
Allergy sufferers, pets and children
The climbing hydrangea shows a slight toxicity on all parts of the plant. It contains various toxins. This includes hydrocyanic acid (glycosides).
children
The toxins can cause slight symptoms of poisoning in the form of dizziness and/or vomiting when parts of the plant are consumed. This poses a certain danger for children. Although it can be assumed that children will not consume larger quantities that cause more serious symptoms of poisoning due to the unpleasant, bitter taste, the new location should nevertheless meet a number of conditions:
- Far from children's playgrounds
- No possible access for children if they are unsupervised
Ideal:
- Planting in the raised bed where children cannot reach the plant
- Planting in the second row of beds with difficult access
- Put a fence or something similar around the plant as a demarcation
allergy sufferers
The same as for children applies to allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin. Climbing hydrangeas can also trigger a contact allergy when touched. Therefore:
- Choose a location where no accidental touches can occur (narrow balconies, for example)
- Always wear gloves and clothing that cover the skin when carrying out maintenance work
Dog, cat & Co.
However, care should be taken when keeping pets. You should only choose locations where pets are not left unsupervised. The toxins of the Hydrangea petiolaris often cause significantly more severe symptoms of poisoning in pets, such as:
- shortness of breath
- diarrhea
- Vomit
- circulatory problems
- In the worst case, cardiac arrest (when consuming larger amounts)
location in winter
In the first three to four years of life and generally in the first winter after changing location, climbing hydrangeas place particular demands on their locations:
- Wind-protected location
- Place cold protection on soil over the root area (leaves, straw, brushwood or pine needles)
- In principle, move potted plants to a warmer environment at any age or:
- Cover potted plants with fleece
- Place bucket on insulation (e.g. cardboard or styrofoam)
- Wrap a thick layer of plastic film around the walls of the bucket