Re: Hydrangea...vines - more info please

----------
> From: Cajun Joe <cajun4@HOME.COM>
> Date: Thursday, March 02, 2000 11:03 AM
>
> >>> Do you all think that this vine will take over everything in
it's path,
> and must be isolated in order for it not to do so.

No, it is not rampant in the sense that a Silver Lace Vine (Polygonum
aubertii) is rampant.  However, they can grow to 80' in height and
are not for a small or confined space, really.
>
> >>> Does it go dormant in winter?

Yes.  This is when the lovely cinnamon exfoliating bark and the form
of the 'arm'-like branching is most visible.
>
> >>> Can it be pruned back heavily to 2-3' in the dormant season?

No.  Not if you ever want any blooms.  Like the mop heads
(macrophylla spp.) Climbing hydrangea (H. anomala subsp. petiolaris -
formerly just H. petiolaris) blooms on old wood.  Any pruning needs
to be done before July so that flower buds have a chance to form.

While you can certainly prune this vine to maintain size, it is
really a shame to put one in if you intend to whack it back every
year...part of its beauty is its form.

>
> >>> I am going to grow it on a real old utility pole that has
chicken wire
> wrapped around it, up to 5' from the ground - would that work. Once
well
> established - would it grow to the top of the pole in one season? I
don't
> want this.
>
You do not need chicken wire wrapped around anything for climbing
hydrangea.  It climbs by attaching itself to its host via root-like
holdfasts (see post where I changed subj. line to include holdfasts
for links to images of these).

It will take several years to reach the top of the pole, but it will
eventually do so.  These are very slow growing vines to start off
with because they do not like to be transplanted much.  Could take 10
years to get to the top of a regular height utility pole.  Mine has
taken nearly 15 years to climb about 16 or 20 feet up an old black
locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).

> >>> Should I be concerned about it multiplying, and getting out of
hand -
> becoming uncontrollable?

No.  Have never seen a seedling from this and they are notoriously
difficult to propagate from cuttings.

These are, as both Dirr and Wyman say, perhaps the most beautiful
woody vine going - well worth the wait you will have for it to reach
maturity and blooming size.

Now, Joe...also sent in a post regarding the fact that this vine may
not flourish in your zone 9, I think it is, climate as it is rated
from 4 to 7....but try it anyway.  Ask you local nurseries if it does
grow in your area...they should know.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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