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Climber · Hydrangeaceae family

Climbing hydrangea

Hydrangea petiolaris

Part shade to shade 9–15.3 m × 1.5–1.9 m Flowers May–July to −34 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

LightPart shade to shade
Size9–15.3 m
spacing 1.5 m
FlowersMay–July
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Light, soil and water.

It grows best in part shade to shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
average to moistnot fussy about soil

Watering

regularly until establishedkeep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

Frost

−34 °C
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m11 m12 m13 m14 m15 m9–15.3 mspread 1.5–1.9 m
9–15.3 m× spread 1.5–1.9 m

Plant 1.5 m apart.

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

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlanting
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant). · watch for vine weevil.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–July · white

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

What to plant now (October) full list in October (244) →

Feeding

Nutrition.

Light
compost or mulch

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves, stems and flowers; leaves may become distorted.

The source says: it is among the ornamental plants susceptible to powdery mildew.

When to look

From spring onwards

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Destroy fallen infected leaves in autumn; do not over-feed, and protect from drought (stress invites powdery mildew).
  2. By hand autumnPrune out infected shoots early and destroy fallen leaves.
Powdery mildewsdisease · from spring onwardsMedium risk

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves, stems and flowers; leaves may become distorted.

The source says: it is among the ornamental plants susceptible to powdery mildew.

When to look

From spring onwards

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Destroy fallen infected leaves in autumn; do not over-feed, and protect from drought (stress invites powdery mildew).
  2. By hand autumnPrune out infected shoots early and destroy fallen leaves.
More about this problem

What you will see

Clusters of tiny sap-sucking insects on young shoots, curled leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mould.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Aphids are part of a healthy garden and food for predators; a healthy plant usually tolerates them.
  2. By handWipe or rinse off colonies and remove affected tips.
  3. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies (ladybirds, earwigs, birds).
Aphidspest · spring – summer

What you will see

Clusters of tiny sap-sucking insects on young shoots, curled leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mould.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Aphids are part of a healthy garden and food for predators; a healthy plant usually tolerates them.
  2. By handWipe or rinse off colonies and remove affected tips.
  3. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies (ladybirds, earwigs, birds).
More about this problem

What you will see

Ragged, distorted leaves with many small holes, dropped buds.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
May–August

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Tolerate the damage, plants usually recover; encourage birds and ground beetles.
  2. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies.
Capsid bugspest · May–August

What you will see

Ragged, distorted leaves with many small holes, dropped buds.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
May–August

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Tolerate the damage, plants usually recover; encourage birds and ground beetles.
  2. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies.
More about this problem

What you will see

Waxy scales on stems and leaves, sooty mould on honeydew.

When to look

All year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Healthy plants tolerate low numbers of scale insects.
  2. By handRemove adult scale insects and egg masses when visible.
  3. BiologicalSteinernema feltiae nematode against soft scales (use with care, it may also affect other animals); encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
Scale insectspest · all year

What you will see

Waxy scales on stems and leaves, sooty mould on honeydew.

When to look

All year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Healthy plants tolerate low numbers of scale insects.
  2. By handRemove adult scale insects and egg masses when visible.
  3. BiologicalSteinernema feltiae nematode against soft scales (use with care, it may also affect other animals); encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps.
More about this problem
Vine weevil

Vine weevil

Otiorhynchus sulcatus
pest
More about this problem

What you will see

Adults notch the leaf edges; white larvae eat the roots, mainly in containers, and the plant wilts.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
September–March

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Check container plants often; look for notches on leaves.
  2. By handCollect adults in the evening by torchlight; when repotting, remove larvae from the roots.
  3. BiologicalBiological control (nematodes) — suitable for strawberries in containers.
Vine weevilpest · September–March

What you will see

Adults notch the leaf edges; white larvae eat the roots, mainly in containers, and the plant wilts.

When to look

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
September–March

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Check container plants often; look for notches on leaves.
  2. By handCollect adults in the evening by torchlight; when repotting, remove larvae from the roots.
  3. BiologicalBiological control (nematodes) — suitable for strawberries in containers.
More about this problem
Sources (7)

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 1.5 m.

Aphids — what can you do?

Aphids are part of a healthy garden and food for predators; a healthy plant usually tolerates them. Wipe or rinse off colonies and remove affected tips.

Capsid bugs — what can you do?

Tolerate the damage, plants usually recover; encourage birds and ground beetles. Encourage natural enemies.

Sources (20) Checked 24 October 2026

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