Climbing Hydrangea – Not blooming

Q: I planted a climbing hydrangea in the spring of 2001. The plant is doing well, almost covering one wall. Yet it still has not produced a flower. It gets sun about three hours a day. Anything I can do to force it to bloom?

A: Theresa Schrum replies: “Climbing Hydrangea (either the native or exotic species) is a true test of a gardener’s patience. They take several years to bloom and won’t bloom until they grow secondary woody branches that extend away from the main vine. You will simply have to be patient.”