The climbing hydrangea, a climbing shrub originally from Japan and Korea, is very popular for greening walls, older (even dead) trees or for courtyards. The plant can climb up to ten meters in height and tolerates both shady and sunny locations as long as it doesn't get too warm there. The slow-growing climbing hydrangea is considered hardy.
Climbing hydrangeas are hardy and only need winter protection when young
Climbing hydrangeas are hardy
In addition to the climbing hydrangeas that turn their leaves in autumn, there are now new breeds that keep their leaves over the winter. However, deciduous climbing hydrangeas are much more magnificent, turning their otherwise dark green foliage bright golden yellow in autumn. In winter, the skeleton, which becomes gnarled with age, is a pretty sight with its dark, reddish-brown shoots. The climbing hydrangea is also very hardy even in our latitudes. Even sub-zero temperatures in the double-digit range don't bother her. Only the root area should be protected from freezing temperatures with a thick layer of mulch.
Beware of spring frosts
The climbing hydrangea flowers on the one-year-old shoots, so there is no need to fear that the flowers will fail due to late spring frosts. Nevertheless, young shoots are endangered, especially in southern locations, because the plant can sprout too early due to the intense solar radiation, whereby the young shoots can freeze to death due to the large temperature differences between day and night. In this case, winter protection makes sense.
Cover young climbing hydrangeas in winter
However, young, freshly planted climbing hydrangeas in the first two years of growth as well as specimens that are cultivated in a bucket must be protected in winter. However, frost-free hibernation in the house or basement is not necessary. Mulch the root area thickly with leaf, sticks, straw or bark mulch. Protect the climbing shoots with the help of a jute bag pulled over them (in the case of free-standing climbing hydrangeas with a trellis or similar) or cover the tendrils with raffia mats.
tips and tricks
Make sure that the plant does not die of thirst in winter, which particularly affects specimens kept in tubs. Although it has to be watered much less frequently in winter, the soil must not dry out. Watering is only done when the ground is frost-free.