Hello Cateyanne -
When I first got my H Petiolaris in 2006, I got instruction from the nursery but I also came to this forum to get additional help. I suggest you search for the Climbing H in this forum & scroll down to find a wonderful thread complete with photos, compliments of Chelone from ME ... we all thought it to be a great tutorial for Climbing H, newbie.

I followed her advice, practically to the letter & took note of her warning of "patience" as far as growth habits, of this queen of climbers, are concerned ... guess what? ... bloom buds, finally this season! <:- mine was planted in jul at the foot of full-sun e facing retaining wall rugged surface not easiest for rootlets to latch on all ... last she has started her way n s across>Dr Dirr described this amazing H as the "Queen of the Twining World. Somewhat shy and unassuming in youth, developing rather slowly, she then rockets skyward, never looking back as she climbs and clambers over, along and next to the structure by which she was placed."

I hope this helps ... many happy days ahead to you! <:- ... as you wait enjoy your other h finds>D

Mine is in its seconnd year & just starting to take off. Mine, too, is about 4' high, but bought from a nursery & on the N side of my house. I placed it about 2.5 feet from the chimney & left the thin supports they had there. By the end of last summer it had worked its way to the chimney easily & is now starting to climb. I just want to see some blooms this year!

Hi Cateyanne - I went back to search for the Climbing H thread that I was referring to ... I couldn't believe the g'zillion Climbing H questions posted over the past few years! Here is the particular one we thought to be a good tutorial thread ... go to:
"Climbing Hydrangea-Lots of ??"

Unfortunately the photos were no longer there for some reason.

Hi Dukegg1 -
Since I was fortunate to get a 4.5 gal size plant (on end of season-sale in Sept'06) I had to plant mine as close & slightly tilted towards the wall, as Chelone suggested ... to let C H (Petiolaris) get the idea where to climb. I also initially pounded 2 metal stakes on each side (close to the wall) of the already mature plant & harnessed her 3 good sized limbs with cloth straps. I remove the straps & stakes just this April, when I saw that she got the idea where I wanted her to spread her limbs. Also since it was already late in the season, I gave her some protection from our wicked winds that Winter.

It was May 1st when I discovered 7 flower clusters ... what a great May Day surprise!!! I was told that in full-sun C H may flower sooner. I hope yours gets enough sun exposure, for you to see some blooms this season, yet.

Good luck!
D

sorry i did not post right away have been gone. I will check out the sight you suggested, ditas. I guess I'm lucky with the blooming issue, mine came with buds ready and has already started opening.