Climbing Hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 'Mirranda' (v)
ABOUT
The Climbing Hydrangea 'Mirranda' is a striking variety known for its unique and ornamental appearance. This plant exhibits lush, bright green leaves edged with a creamy-yellow variegation that adds a splash of color to any garden. The leaves are heart-shaped, offering a soft and romantic aesthetic to the plant's overall look. During its blooming season, the plant is adorned with sizable, lace-cap flowers that consist of small, fertile blooms surrounded by larger, infertile blooms. The flowers are typically a creamy white hue, giving the appearance of a delicate, frothy mass of blossoms. These blooms provide a stark contrast against the variegated foliage, making it a visually appealing choice for trellises or as a decorative wall cover. The overall aspect is one of eye-catching variegation and graceful floral displays, which can offer a touch of elegance to a garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Hydrangeaceae
Synonyms
Climbing Hydrangea, Miranda Climbing Hydrangea
Common names
Hydrangea petiolaris 'Miranda'.
ToxicityTo humans
Climbing Hydrangea is not considered highly toxic to humans, but it may cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested due to the presence of compounds like hydrangin. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, though severe toxicity is rare.
To pets
Climbing Hydrangea is also toxic to pets. Ingesting parts of the plant can lead to similar symptoms of poisoning as in humans, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and general gastrointestinal distress. It is recommended to keep pets away from the plant to avoid potential health issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
30 feet (9.14 meters)
Spread
5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: 'Mirranda' offers visual interest with its variegated leaves and large, lacecap flowers that can add beauty to any garden.
- Wall Covering: Climbing Hydrangea can be used to cover unsightly walls, fences, or other structures, providing a natural and attractive green facade.
- Shade Tolerance: This variety is well-suited for shaded areas where other plants might struggle, perfect for north-facing gardens or under tree canopies.
- Seasonal Interest: The plant has seasonal changes in appearance from its springtime budding to its full summer bloom and autumn leaf changes, keeping the garden interesting throughout the year.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Winter Interest: Even in winter, the textured bark and persistent vine structure of Climbing Hydrangea can add interest to an otherwise barren landscape.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, 'Mirranda' requires minimal care, making it a convenient choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Vertical Gardening: As a climbing plant, it allows gardeners to utilize vertical space effectively, which can be particularly useful in smaller garden areas.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Climbing Hydrangea bark can be used in crafting and as a natural textile stiffener due to its fibrous texture after being processed.
- The vine's woody stems can be shaped into wreaths or frames for decorative purposes as they can be bent and manipulated when young and then allowed to dry.
- Dried flowers of the Climbing Hydrangea can be incorporated into potpourri mixes, adding a unique texture and shape to the assortment.
- The leaves can be used in the art of leaf casting to create detailed and textured concrete garden ornaments.
- Flower press enthusiasts may use the Climbing Hydrangea's blooms to create pressed flower art due to their intricate patterns.
- The large leaves and sprawling nature of the Climbing Hydrangea can provide a modest natural screen for privacy in gardens.
- The plant can be trained over arbors or pergolas to create shaded sitting areas within a garden landscape.
- When blooming, Climbing Hydrangeas can serve as a picturesque backdrop for outdoor photography.
- The plant's robust growing habit can be used to cover unsightly fences or walls, providing a lush green appearance throughout the year.
- Creative gardeners may use the vine as a living sculpture by guiding its growth around forms to shape it into desired patterns or figures.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Climbing Hydrangea is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Climbing Hydrangea is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Understanding: Hydrangea as a whole symbolizes deep understanding, due to its complex structure and multifaceted blooms, indicating the ability to see the world from different perspectives.
- Gratitude: The lush and generous blooms of the Climbing Hydrangea often represent gratitude, making them a popular gift to express appreciation.
- Heartfelt Emotions: Climbing Hydrangeas are frequently tied to the expression of heartfelt emotions, possibly because of their full, robust appearance.
- Apology: In some contexts, hydrangeas can mean an apology or a request for forgiveness, which may originate from Japanese culture where the emperor gave them as apologies.
- Frivolity or Boastfulness: In some traditional flower language, hydrangeas can carry a negative connotation of boastfulness or vanity, due to the showy nature of their flower heads.
- Abundance: The round shape of the hydrangea’s flowers can symbolize abundance and wealth, reflecting the fullness of the bloom and its many small fertile flowers.
WaterThe Climbing Hydrangea requires consistent moisture, so watering should be regular but not excessive. During the growing season, water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time, depending on weather conditions. If rainfall is sufficient, additional watering may not be necessary. However, in periods of drought or extreme heat, it is important to check the soil moisture more frequently and water accordingly to prevent stress.
LightClimbing Hydrangea thrives in part shade to full sun. The ideal spot for this plant is where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid planting it in deep shade or full sun, as too little light can reduce flowering and too much can stress the plant.
TemperatureClimbing Hydrangea is hardy in a range of temperatures but performs best when the temperature is between 60°F and 80°F. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to around 5°F. This plant prefers moderate climates without extreme heat; prolonged exposure to temperatures over 90°F may stress the plant.
PruningPruning the Climbing Hydrangea is important to maintain its shape and encourage more vigorous growth. It's best to prune right after flowering, which is typically in late summer or fall. Remove dead or weak wood, and cut back overly long shoots to maintain the desired size and appearance. Pruning can be done annually, but extensive pruning should be infrequent to avoid stress to the plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilClimbing Hydrangea thrives in a soil mix that's well-draining, with high organic content. A blend of 1 part garden soil, 1 part peat or compost, and 1 part perlite or sand is ideal. They prefer a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
RepottingClimbing Hydrangea, being a substantial climber, is seldom repotted and usually planted directly in the ground. However, young plants in pots may be repotted every 2-3 years to encourage growth.
Humidity & MistingClimbing Hydrangea prefers moderate to high humidity levels but is quite adaptable to normal outdoor humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Bright, indirect light; keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Partial shade, protect from harsh sun, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
4-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Climbing Hydrangea 'Mirranda' begins its life as a seed, which upon germination develops a root system and a shoot that will grow into a vine. As it matures, it develops woody stems that enable it to climb up supports, attaching with aerial rootlets. In spring to early summer, it enters a vegetative growth phase, producing large green leaves with variegated yellow or cream-colored margins. By mid to late summer, the plant produces clusters of white, fragrant flowers that are fertile and capable of producing seeds. After flowering and seed set, the leaves may turn yellow before dropping in the fall as the plant enters dormancy in the winter months. With each growing season, the vine expands in size and coverage, potentially reaching up to 60 feet in length over many years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris 'Mirranda') is typically propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer when the plant's new growth is still tender and flexible but has not yet matured. To propagate through softwood cuttings, one would cut a section of stem about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, just below a leaf node. Leaves near the cut end are removed, leaving two or three at the top of the cutting. The cut end of the stem is then dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a mixture of peat and perlite or sand to encourage root growth. The cutting should be kept in a humid environment and out of direct sunlight until roots develop, which typically takes several weeks. After rooting, the new plant can be transferred to a more permanent location. This method is popular because it is relatively easy and produces new plants that are identical to the parent plant.
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