Climbing Hydrangea / Woodvamp
Common Names: Climbing Hydrangea, WoodvampLatin Name: Decumaria barbara
General Info
- Only flowers when climbing
- Can go ~80ft. tall, but tolerates pruning to shorter heights and can even grow as a shrub.
- Blooms in late spring and summer.
- Takes a while to get established. May be three to five years before seeing flowers.
- Flowers on old wood.
Soil Requirements
- pH: neutral to slightly acidic.
- Keep the soil moist, but don't water so often the soil becomes mushy or soggy.
Water Requirements
- 1" of water a week. More for hot summer.
- Keep the soil moist, but don't water so often the soil becomes mushy or soggy.
Fertilization
- Feed the plant in late winter or early spring, just before new leaves begin to bud and again in summer when the flowers bloom. Use compost or a slow-release fertilizer.
- A 2-inch layer of compost in spring provides enough nutrients to support the plant all season.
Pruning
- Prune the climbing hydrangea plant in late spring or early summer to remove dead, diseased or damaged branches. Remove crossed branches that may rub against each other; rubbing creates an entry point for insects and disease.
- Vines that are allowed to grow beyond their support become top-heavy and may pull away from the support or break. Trim them back in summer, after flowering.
- Flowers on old wood / buds from the previous season. So if you prune, you want to prune at end of flowering and before new bud formation.
Seasonal View
Spring
- Feed just before new leaves begin to bud.
- Prune some in late spring, the bad looking branches.
Summer
- Should start blooming
- Maybe Fertilize again when flowers bloom.
- Trim big vines that will outgrow support back after flowering.
- Prune whatever you want but right at the end of flowering, before new buds have formed.
Interesting Sources
- Not exactly the same species, but very informative post: http://www.louistheplantgeek.com/a-gardening-journal/1185-hydrangea-anomala-subsp-petiolaris-012516
- There are several things called climbing hydrangeas in the hydrangea genus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climbing_hydrangea