Climber · Hydrangeaceae family
climbing hydrangea
Hydrangea petiolaris
In short a 10-second read
Climbing hydrangea (climber) grows to 9–15.3 m tall and 1.5–1.9 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in May–July; the flowers are white. Hardy to −34 °C.
× spread 1.5–1.9 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −34 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy, sandy
Soil pH 5.5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–July · white
Pruning
prune after flowering (as needed)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −34 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does climbing hydrangea flower?
In May–July; the flowers are white.
Does climbing hydrangea tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does climbing hydrangea need?
At maturity 1.5–1.9 m wide and 9–15.3 m tall; recommended spacing 150 cm.
Does climbing hydrangea survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −34 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (20)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Hydrangea petiolaris
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Hydrangea petiolaris
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Hydrangea petiolaris
- GBIF species/match — „Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris" vracia status SYNONYM
- Wikidata (CC0) — Hydrangea petiolaris
- EPPO Global Database — Hydrangea petiolaris
- Záhradníctvo ABIES / dreviny.sk — „Hortenzia popínavá | Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris"
- RHS - Hydrangea petiolaris
- RHS - How to grow climbing hydrangeas
- RHS - Climbers: pruning established
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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