I am envious that you are getting three!!! I only got one.....yg

I keep yearing it can take years and YEARS for these to bloom reliably. I had one at a house for five years and never got more than a handful.

I finally gave up and switched over to the Schictz.vines (that still kinda look like hydrangeas.

ALSO - I keep hearing that it only really kicks in with blooms after it's reached the top of whatever it's climbing on. Like if it's climbing the side of your house, it blooms better once it's hit the roof.

What I heard was there's a hormonal change in the plant, basically "Okay, I"ve finished climbing this wall now, guess I can make flowers now."

Creech,

That's horrible news! Mine is growing on my chimney and it has about 20 feet to go!

Help! I hope you are wrong about the H. having to reach the top to bloom. Mine is climbing a tree and only up to about 3'. I have had it there 4 years now and haven't had a single bloom. What kind of fertilizer does it like? I am willing to try about anything.
Tina

Oh yes, you have to remember to take your "patient pills" when you plant a climbing hydrangea. But take heart! once they get rolling they will prove reliable bloomers and very hardy for a VERY long time.

I liken them to trees... they don't look like they're growing, because they're doing their growing underground. They're building root systems that will support a huge vine eventually. Mine took 5 years to flower with more than 2-4 blossoms; after that is was as though it has been there for years... flowers in profusion every year.

Hang in there! you won't be disappointed, but they WILL test your patience and make your question your choice of plant material. ;)

I'm convinced those things need the perfect growing environment. This is probably year 8 for me and they continue to be just nice greenery against my fence. AND about 5-6 feet high. They're next to my serratas that I need to prune. Ya, these things are in the wrong place.

mine was on the North side of a red oak when i bought the house 5 years ago
it's now got to be 15 feet up the trunk and is covered with blossoms and has another 15 feet to go to the top. I have another on north side stockade fence that's growing wild and is in full bloom. It bloomed before it reached the top of the fence. So much for waiting to bloom until reaching the top. Have another on front of our porch facing North that took 3 years before blooming.

Now if i could only get my Oak Leaf to do likewise

Hi
I hear you. I planted my climbing hydrangia about 10 years ago and it still isn't blooming. It is growing great and has healthy leaves, but nadda blooms. Any suggestions - I know we have to have patience with these plants but this ia a little too much