Hydrangeas are the top-selling plants at CarrollGardens.com, and for good reason. Our customers can’t get enough of these beauties and all that they add to the garden. Many people only think of shrub hydrangeas, but climbing hydrangeas can add an incredible amount of beauty and interest to your landscape. The effect created by a hydrangea in bloom, climbing up the trunk of a large tree or a masonry wall, can’t be matched by any other plant. This week we are featuring an exciting new variegated-leaf climbing hydrangea introduced by Hines Nursery – ‘Moonlight Magic.’

A New Shade-Loving Hydrangea with Variegated Leaves
Native to Japan, Korea and Taiwan, climbing hydrangeas have been grown in gardens across the country since the 1800′s and have continued to be a favorite of gardeners today. ‘Moonlight Magic’ has variegated leaves which make it standout from many other climbers. Throughout the season, the leaves of each sprout of new growth will be bright pink changing to rich gold before maturing to dark green. The display is especially dramatic with Spring’s initial new growth. The dark green leaves provide a backdrop for summer’s masses of creamy-white lace-cap flowers, often interspersed with the pink and gold of the new foliage. The flowers can reach up to ten inches across! In autumn, the leaves will change to butter yellow or a golden yellow, depending on growing conditions. Once the leaves have fallen, the thick cinnamon-colored bark is revealed, providing a tracery of beauty and interest throughout the winter months. No matter where you plant your hydrangea – climbing up a tree, a trellis or the side of a house, it will create the most fabulous display all year long.

Planting and Care
Climbing hydrangea prefers a moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It will eventually reach 30 feet tall with a spread of about 10 feet. The stems form rootlets that will cling to almost anything. In our experience in zone 6, however, climbing hydrangea usually will not self-climb a south-facing or west-facing wall in full, hot sun; but, with ample moisture, it will thrive and bloom beautifully, with support, under these conditions. It can be pruned after summer blooming, if needed.

  • Prefers moist, well-drained soil.

  • For best performance, plant in an area that gets part shade. Afternoon shade is required in the south. Full sun is acceptable in the north.

  • Plant 10-15 feet apart.

  • Hardy in zones 4-8.

  • Fertilize with Cottonseed Meal and Kelp Meal at planting and every year in early spring and late autumn. Once established, Holly-Tone may be substituted for the Cottonseed Meal.

    • Alan Summers
    http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/climbing-hydrangea-moonlight-magic-pp13247-62533.html

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