I found one at Home Depot years ago, also for $5! Unfortunately, I only had it for a year before I moved away & left it. The next owners killed it. Anyway, I think it should probably be planted on the north side of the house. It will cling to brick. I guess if you have siding you'll need to put up supports for it to climb on. They supposedly take quite a few years to get to bloom size.

If you're referring to climbing hydrangea (H. anomala petiolaris?), It takes a few years to get established and then has moderate growth. In my part of the country it likes afternoon shade and one reference I saw says part/full shade. It's a fabulous plant and the blooms are lovely.

Pam

I know they don't care for TX. I have managed to kill 4 of them. I guess it is one of those plants I'll have to admire in someone else's garden.

I planted a 12-15" one on the east side of my house when I lived in PA. Two+ years later when I left it was still sitting there--alive, but no bigger than when I planted it. I tried again here in TX but it didn't live.

I've seen pictures of mature ones that are beautiful, so I guess you have to be in the right climate and be patient. Since yours is already 5' it might be ready to take off. Good luck with it!

You will need lots of patience with these, I have a climbing Japanese Hydrangea, been planted for roughly 10 years. It was a very small plant when I bought it, more than likely a rooted cutting. The first couple of years it just sat and sulked, the next couple of years after making it's mind up that it wasn't going to die it put on a couple of inches of growth. The next couple of years the foliage took on a healthy look, but still didn't put on much growth. I didn't pay much attention to it the next couple of years. Last year and this it has decided to actually grow a bit, still no flowers, I hope to see at least one flower before I croak. These climbing Hydrangeas are simply gorgeous when they do decide to do there thing.

Annette

I am with you, Annette!! I planted one on an oak tree 15 years ago. It was about a foot and a half tall. I coddled it, watered and fertilized it--and it stayed a foot and a half tall for years. Then I thought it had gone missing. Amazingly, last year I looked and it was about 4' tall and this year it has grown another 2'. I too hope to see this bloom before I die but at the rate it's going, I'm not counting on it.

They are slow to get going but very nice vines for shade. That is a great price. They are expensive because they are slow growers.

ok...it sounds like I bought for someone to enjoy years down the road..but that is ok..I just hope they appreciate it for what it is and don't cut it down thinking it is a wild vine of sorts. Thank you for all your help and advice. Maybe by the time I am a great grandma it will bloom :)

I have a few. And they do not like to flower unless they start growing horizontal. If the growth just keeps going up and up you won't see much if any blooms.

Garden... that makes sense, I know with some dwarf fruit trees they actually take the branches, bend them towards the ground and anchor them. When the branches are bent this way they get more flowering spurs and it slows down the new growth. Hmmmm, I think I'll go out and pin all the new growth horizontally. Maybe things are looking up and I will see flowers before I croak.
Hi buyorsell, nice to see you over here, hope all your clemies are doing well, some of mine went crispy in the hot spell we just had, looks like they're making an effort to struggle back, thank goodness.

Annette

Annette and Gardenandcats, I think I too will try that....it does make sense. It must "mature" them....kinda like putting a brick on a childs head to keep them from growing so tall right? :) I am kidding, but it does make sense...they divert the effort to grow into blooming. Thanks for the tips for my bargin vine!

I have one which was planted in my previous garden. I took it with me to my new place. I have to say, this is by far a very easy plant to grow. It grows horizontally as many know. It produces flowers in 2-3 years after planting but it's not the blooms this plants are known for but for it's beautiful stems. It look like a tree growing on the side of a fence. It provide a 4 season scene - especially lovely during winter when the leaves falls off. It loves shade to part sun conditions. Loves composted materials and wet conditions. It will grow in spurts.

Ianna

I have one I planted about 5 years ago, and it started blooming after 3. But even when it is not in bloom,I think it makes an ordinary tree look extraordinary.
5 bucks! what a fabulous price, dahling
Sue