I planted this in my garden about 10 years ago and have always thought it was a climbing hydrangea.I bought it as it was a shade lover and put it in a dark spot between the oak tree and the shed.
It has never flowered and didn’t do much at all until we moved the shed (well all right – it wasn’t so much moved as knocked down before it fell down) – then it grabbed hold of the oak tree and shot up at a rate of knots sticking itself to the trunk.
The leaves don’t look very hydrangea like to me.
Does anyone know what it is? I’m very fond of the oak tree and worried that this clinging plant might harm it. Or am I being daft? Over to you!
And as a thank you for putting up with my daft questions, here’s an RHS competition to win £1000 for your garden/plant/flower photo with additional prizes and a category for under 18s. There is an entry fee, but under 18s can enter free!
And a whole batch of competitions from the lovely Gardeners’ World Magazine.
Teresa - Your plant looks like hydrangea seemenii, the Mexican Climbing Hydrangea.
ReplyDeleteBlimey that was quick, Jacula!! I've just looked it up - I think you're right, thank you! x
ReplyDeleteGlad Jacula was able to identify it, Teresa - I'd need to look it up! I love when plants bloom in unexpected places, but you're right to be concerned that it won't do any harm.
ReplyDeleteYes, that does worry me Rosemary x
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having an oak tree in the garden. We have a lot of self-seeding ash growing everywhere. One grew so tall it had to be felled as it touched a power line.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad, Joanna. Our garden is very small and the oak tree very big, but I wouldn't be without it. Something magical and rather spiritual about oak trees I think x
ReplyDeleteHi Teresa, just noticed you tagged me, thanks. Will answer your questions soon. That leaf looks like rhodedendron to me,but they have lovely red flowers. I'm sure Jacula's right.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it lovely to have such amazing friends online who can ID your plants without even taking one step into your garden. The internet is amazing thing and I just love it.
ReplyDeleteI've got an oak tree in my garden - a tiny one which sprouted from an acorn (bird dropped?) just a couple of years ago. There isn't room for a mature oak but I don't have the heart to kill it.
ReplyDeleteI think the lovely thing about oaks is that they are around so long. We have several in our village that are literally hundreds of years old. I often wonder about the things they've seen - so many changes in our little village and the way people live their lives. We planted a whole load more for the Milenium so when we're all 6 foot under future residents will no doubt wonder about us and our oaks!
ReplyDeletewww.lydiajones.co.uk xx
Smiling. I am forever asking people what my plants are called. Yes, Teresa, I know I'm not much help, but I did want to post on your blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a plant which a neighbour found in a skip and kindly planted in my garden (!) it was recently identified as a climbing hydrangea. It's actually in a hot and rather sunny position but so far it seems to have established itself reasonably well.
ReplyDeleteI should have let you know, Suzy - I was being very lazy not doing so! Yes, it is rather rhododenronny x
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, Jarmara x
They are very slow growing, Patsy. We measured ours and calculated it is about 150 years old and was here long before any houses were built. I do have to pull up the babies though - I have been known to take them out on walks and transplant them x
Yes I think that's it, Lydia - they've seen so much. If only they could talk! I think it's wonderful that you have planted them for future generations to enjoy x
Aw bless you, Diane :-)x
That was kind of your neighbour - I think, Jenny!? I hope to see flowers on ours this year x