Clematis: Long hot summer clematis chat, 5 by pirl

pirl wrote:
Some times good ideas turn into bad decisions. Such was the case when I spotted this "squirrel proof" bird feeder in the garage and thought it would be so beautiful with clematis blooms flowing from it: wrong! While it is true that squirrels can't get to the seed, they are crafty enough to swing the feeder and the seed falls out for their convenience. Then I tried it on a post in the back gardens only to find the deer banged it around as well. So it remained, unused, in the garage until I came up with the idea of using it for clematises.

Here it is with the clematis Josephine just attaching itself as my hopes ran high.

Josephine's stems went up the magnolia, thankfully, so I got to see a few blooms. Photo taken May 18.

It began with single blooms and then went to double blooms. Photo taken May 26. Overcast skies.

By June 13th Hagley Hybrid and The President took over while Josephine remained on the magnolia.

Today, needing little jobs to do while this storm and tornado watch is in effect, I cut back all of the clematises in this area to about 2 to 4" and will hope for the best.