Returned to Climbing Hydrangea after a difficult first attempt

My first attempt at Climbing Hydrangea failed — support structure failing under the weight of mature growth got hold of it and I didn't know what I was looking at until it was too late. I left it alone for a year before trying again.

The second attempt, with proper attention to feeding with a high-potassium fertiliser in summer to encourage flowering, has been completely different. It's now thriving in a pergola or arch creating a garden feature and many varieties offering fragrance, colour, and wildlife value is on full display. autumn foliage colour on deciduous species before leaf fall this year was a genuine reward for starting again. If you failed first time, the plant isn't the problem — the conditions probably were.