All the Dirt on Gardening

I've been thinking about planting a climbing hydrangea on the new back patio and pergola I dream of having. The gardening website, Green Beam, featured Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris today, calling it "a gentleman among vines". A native of Japan and China, it blooms in summer with 6 to 10-inch flowers. Traditionally grown on trees, it can also be trained on a strong trellis - growth is 50-feet over several years - expect slow growth. Hardy in zones 4 to 7 (zone 8 may be too hot and humid) Prefers medium wet but well drained soil in shade. Likes a mulch of compost or peat moss to keep it cool and moist. Green Beam provided these cultivar tips: 'Skylands Giant,' from Spring Meadow , is large-flowered. 'Firefly,' also available at Spring Meadow, is a yellow-variegated climbing hydrangea. In spring this plant really shines. As summer progresses its gold margin turns to chartreuse. Moonlight Magic ('Kuga Variegated') from Hines Horticulture has brig...