Climbing Hydrangea
Vines & Climbers
- Large white flower heads have a charming fragrance!
- Climbing vines can reach up to 30 feet.
- Dark green glossy foliage and exfoliating bark create all-season interest.
- Zones 4-9, sun/part sun, 30' tall x 20' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Common name: Climbing hydrangea
Zone: 4 - 9
Sun exposure: Sun-Part Sun
Height x width: 10-30' x 10-20'
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer-fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Heat tolerant, fragrant, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Background, foundation planting, hedge, massing, ornamental, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Most varieties tolerate full sun in the North, but benefit from afternoon shade. Tolerates full sun only if grown with consistent moisture. In the South, plants require afternoon shade. Avoid dry conditions or drought - though established plants can survive, they'll look less than ideal when stressed.
Water: Water to keep soil moist, but not wet. If you are planting under a tree, pay particular attention to watering, as the tree will likely compete more effectively for water than the climbing hydrangea.
Spacing: 10 ft. recommended, but it depends on your design goal.
Fertilizing: Fertilize once in spring with a fertilizer designed to encourage blooms (such as 15-30-15).
Winterizing: Nothing special required, beyond a 2-3" layer of shredded bark mulch.
Maintenance & pruning: This variety blooms on old wood. If it is growing too large, prune to the desired size immediately after flowering. Pruning in late summer, fall, winter, or spring will remove developing flower buds. In spring, only prune out dead wood once the new growth has emerged. Does not transplant well, unless still very young and not attached to a structure.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
I ordered 10 of these, planted once they arrived, and none of them survived. They had great drainage and were watered regularly. I'm disappointed since I wanted them to grow along my fence line.
We're sorry you're having trouble with your plants. Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Please contact us at [email protected] with your order number and photos of the plants so we can better assist you. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/hyd-guaranteed
I ordered 2 Climbing Hydrangeas and they have already grown quite a bit! I’m so happy I made this purchase and will be excited to see them continue to grow.
It’s looking good. I received it in the mail but I’m not yet ready to plant it in the ground yet. I just bumped it up in a slightly bigger pot. I have no previous experience with climbing hydrangeas. Hopefully it likes where ever I end up planting it.
Hello! Our horticulture experts are always available to answer your questions at [email protected]. Here are a few resources that might be helpful. We discuss planting in containers here: https://blog.greatgardenplants.com/what-size-pots-should-i-use-for-container-plantings/. Our sister company Hydrangea.com has an excellent grow guide for Climbing hydrangeas here: https://hydrangea.com/pages/guide-to-growing-climbing-hydrangeas
Happy Gardening!
The plants arrived healthy and ready to plant. It's best to open outdoor, as the box was full of Ants. Likely, you won’t want these in your house.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
Great website and plant was packaged with care, but it was half dead on arrival, and I followed all the instructions (water, keep in sheltered place before planting, etc.) but it has now completely died (three weeks later). Spent a lot and am very sad.
We're sorry you received plants that were not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. Our friendly customer service team is always here to help! Just contact us at [email protected] with your order number and photos of the plants. After further investigation, we will be able to better assist you. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/hyd-guaranteed
The climbing hydrangea is very healthy but much smaller than I was hoping for.
They are slow to grow at first but I have it trailing up my back yard fence. It will be gorgeous eventually
Excellent and healthy plants. Thank you!
I ordered a climbing hydrangea. It arrived safely packaged, and it is a beautiful and healthy plant. I look forward to watching it grow!
My plants were shipped quickly and arrive in excellent condition. I ordered two climbing hydrangeas and can't wait to see them growing up two of my 50ft Oak trees.
Packaged very well I was impressed! Planted them right away, looking forward for them to grow.
Product looks ok, but the box they arrived in was crushed
Super healthy! Very happy ro receive it in such good shape( I’ve definitely experienced, the opposite as well! Not from Great Gardens:)
Have ordered three times from Great Garden Plants for a total of 17 plants. Everything arrived as promised, shipped as I requested, received promptly, well packaged, healthy plants. When I see reviews/complaints about the size I wonder - did you not read the description or know how big a quart container is? Doesn't matter how large a plant it is when it arrives, healthy plants that are planted correctly and cared for will turn out the same size! I will order from Great Garden plants again!
Plant arrived in good condition, in a pot, with plastic around it to present soil loss. Was packaged then in cardboard to prevent breakage. Thanks, good job !
Was expecting a bit bigger plant for price. But it's healthy and growing relatively fast after repotting.
Most likely will not order from this company again.
Bigger plants same quality available elsewhere even locally for same prices.
We're sorry you're unsatisfied with your plants! Our prices reflect the quality and care we put into each plant, plus the availability of unique selections that can’t often be found in garden centers. To save on your order, watch for different sales and promos throughout the season. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please reach out to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary. We look forward to helping!
The hydrangea came packed very nicely, we planted it the same day and have been watering it every other day due to no rain and high heat and it's already beginning to spread out, think it was a very good purchase! Thank you.
I killed this plant but it tried really hard before it gave up, I think it didn't have enough sun. Anyway, the instructions are there for a reason so be sure to read them if you want to try to grow this!
We're sorry to hear that you've had a difficult time with this plant. Rest assured, we have a 60-day guarantee on all our plants. If you received your plants within that timeframe, we would be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Please send them to [email protected], Happy Gardening!
Beautiful, pretty good size and healthy! I immediately placed it in the ground and is already taking off next to the umbrella trellis I got for her. She’s going to be an absolute beauty. Thank you for a great and fast service. I’ll definitely come back for more❤️
I purchased 4 of these same climbing hydrangeas in 2017 from a different retailer. Wish I had seen them here for $24.99 first! It took a couple of years to get rolling, but now they are spectacular on my East fence city garden. I added nine foot trellises since my fence could only be 6 feet tall and cemented them 1 foot from the fence. Now it's like the "secret garden" back there all summer long. Couldn't be more pleased!
I loved the climbing hydrangea. They arrived in very good condition. I planted them the day they arrived. I kept them in more shade than the SE, Texas sun.
Four made it and two died. Texas weather got the best of them, I think.
Hello! We're sorry to hear that you've had some trouble with your new plants. Please email pictures of the plant to [email protected], making sure to put your order number and name in the subject line so that we may provide the best assistance possible. Rest assured, we do have a 60-day guarantee on all of our plants. If you received your plants within that timeframe, we will be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Happy Gardening!
Both plants died before I got to plant them in spite of excellent care by me!
Hello! We're sorry to hear about your plants. Please email pictures of the plant to [email protected], making sure to put your order number and name in the subject line so that we may provide the best assistance possible. Rest assured, we do have a 60-day guarantee on all of our plants. If you received your plants within that timeframe, we will be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Happy Gardening!
So far so good. Looks healthy and has started to climb up a small fence. I have it in a pot. Hasn't bloomed yet but will keep watching. I love it. Thank you
It is still a small plant even two months in the ground. However it’s almost grown enough to grab the trellis behind it. It’s in a partly shady spot but I’m hoping this time next year it will be growing as the trellis gets far more sun. So far a very slow grower
I have not received the climbing hydrangea yet. It was not included in my order that arrived on 14 days ago.
is this plant deer resistant
Unfortunately, no, hydrangeas are one of the least deer-resistant plants on the market. We have yet to find a hydrangea that is truly deer resistant, so for now, you have three choices when dealing with deer: install a fence, use repellent sprays, or get a good guard dog!
How big are the plants when shipped
Plant size varies widely depending on the variety that you purchase and the time of year. The important thing when it comes to purchasing plants, whether online or in a garden center, is that they have a full, robust root system, and that's what we prioritize in our growing. The more roots a plant has, the more energy it can put into growing once it is planted in your garden.