Grow This Hydrangea for Its Foliage—and Its Ability to Climb

A lively argumentation ( at least at a gather of solid horticulturists ) could be had over crowning the “ queen regnant of Vines , ” although that moniker has generally been book for Her Majesty the clematis . If that leave another title open , I ’ll be the first to name climbing hydrangea ( Hydrangeapetiolaris , Zones 4–8 ) . And while I ’m at it , the variegated cultivar ‘ Miranda ’ deserve its own consideration .

‘ Miranda ’ is a beautiful two - tone clinging vine that attaches to rough , whole surface such as brick or Grant Wood by means of fiddling rootlike holdfasts . And contrary to what your neighbour might tell you , those holdfasts do n’t draw the trench mortar out .

I should aim out the other forcible qualifications ‘ Miranda ’ offers . The foliage is leathery , a modified heart - shape 2 to 4 inches across , with a dark unripened center edged by a generous contrasting yellowed - chartreuse circle . It is quite spectacular , specially if layer against a dark setting . A totally shaded magnetic north - face up website has kept the diversification potent all season long for me . An all - day south- or west - facing vulnerability might decolorise the demarcation .

If you ’re all about flowers , they ’re borne in early summertime : white , 6 to 8 inches astray , hold forth on the outward - reaching lateral branch . These are not the traditional roundy - moundy hydrangea flowers ; instead , they are flat - top , with a ring of larger flowers surrounding the more delicate centre ones . They are allegedly fragrant , but I have n’t been overwhelmed by that yet .

While other stick by vines create a monotone surface that is perfectly parallel to what they are growing on , climbing hydrangea goes one respectable . Once it cover the area it ’s been give , it set out generating perpendicular sidelong branches . This habit produce depth and tail that ’s visually challenging . It can give an almost espalier - like “ bush ” comportment to your surface . With age , the automobile trunk of ‘ Miranda ’ develop handsome undress cinnamon bark that ’s a sensational addition to any winter landscape painting .

‘Miranda’ climbing hydrangea

Name:Hydrangea petiolaris‘Miranda’

Zones:4–8

weather : Partial to full tone ; prefers moist , well - drain , loamy ground

aboriginal range : Japan , South Korea , China

Tony Fulmer is chief gardening officer for Chalet , a distinctiveness greenhouse in Wilmette , Illinois .

Sources

• Broken Arrow Nursery , Hamden , CT 203 - 288 - 1026 ; brokenarrownursery.com

• Joy Creek Nursery , Scappoose , OR 503 - 543 - 7474 ; joycreek.com

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