Climbing hydrangea as a privacy screen

14 years ago

Advice please.

I have a long, shaded border along the east margin of my property between my yard and the neighbor's with a row of mixed trees (mostly scraggly evergreens, a heptacodium, and a few others). The trees are approximately 3 feet apart. I want to block out the neighbor's messy yard.

I was thinking of planting a climbing hydrangea midway between each pair of trees and trying to train the vines to fill in the space between the trees, especially at lower heights (up to 6-8 feet high or so- above that filling in the open space is not so critical ), in order to block my view across.

Can I just plant them midway between the trees with the little trellises that come with the potted plants at the nursery, and try to train them to fill in the space by directing the shoots along branches when they finally get high enough to reach branches? Or do I have to buy special trellises for the hydrangeas?

And if I need to buy separate trellises, what do I need to buy? I have heard that the plants are very heavy and need considerable support. I have a lot of bamboo, and thought of nailing it crosswise to the trees, but I also read that hydrangeas will not typically cling to something narrow and smooth like bamboo.

If I can get away with using the existing trees for support and can train them to fill in the spaces in between without additional trellising that would be ideal. That may be a pipe dream.

Please advise.

Thanks.

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Comments (2)

flora_uk
14 years ago
Hydrangea anomola subsp. petiolaria clings by aerial rootlets like English ivy rather than tendrils or twining stems. So it needs something strong and solid to cling to like a wall or tree bark. Bamboo would not be sufficient. I would definitely not nail anything to the trees. That would damage them. I think I'd be inclined just to plant them between the trees and guide them towards the trunks with twine. However, even when established and climbing the tree trunks would that be sufficient to block the view of the neighbours?

You might also like to have a look at Schizophragma hydrangeoides Ã¯Â¿Â½MoonlightÃ¯Â¿Â½ - a similar climber.

Here is a link that might be useful: Schizophragma
anitje
Original Author
14 years ago
Flora, thanks!! I know so little.

From what Flora says, I cannot assume the vine will fill in the area between the trees.

So am I correct in assuming I will need to put in some support structure between the trees to get the plants to fill in?

And if so, what would you recommend? I am trying to keep it looking as attractive as possible, since, from what I read, it may take many years for the hydrangeas to get established. Plus any continuous artificial fence would involve cutting down trees.

And another question....what are the advantages and disadvantages of Hydrangea anomola petiolaria vs. Schizophragma hydrangeoides, particularly considering my purpose?

Thanks.
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