Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Clematis for Shrubs, 1 by david5311

david5311 wrote:
Closer up of flowers of Mrs. RB. What they lack in size and beauty of the individual flowers they make up in profusion. One mature plant romps out and through other plants across a 20' circle easily. Does not climb but seems to hoist itself up other plants without smothering anything (however, do not plant next to your species cyclamen collection!!!)


And one last comment on the "grass" issue ---

no, I don't hate OGs, I like many of them. They are stars of the garden from May through November depending on the species, warm vs cold season, etc. But they are used at every McDonalds around here, and so unimaginatively too. They get beaten down pretty fast in snow country. To me they just look depressing in the winter garden. I would rather look at the bark of a mature Stewartia or Mt Laurel foliage or even a bed of myrtle or ivy than most grasses. Or the first flowers of a hellebore or witchhazel, any day. I even like best those grasses which fall apart at frost and barely need cutting down (Spodiopogon sibiricus, one of my favorite grasses). I won't convert anybody to my point of view, I know, and whenever I say this the grass fans always come to the defense of their favorites. As they should.

Just as I would if anybody starts knocking clematis ;o)

This message was edited Dec 27, 2006 9:41 PM