Clematis: ClematisGuru's 2009 Hardwick Hall Clematis Garden, 1 by ClematisGuru

ClematisGuru wrote:
sharkey, thanks for the nice feedback.
the formula here is many mistake, many years.....and over the last few years editing down down down to simple focus. common woody shrubs, evergreen trees, sedums and clems. i am going to plant some impatiens at the base of some clems this year, will be first time in several years i have put any annuals out. but they really bloom here thru mid november and are an excellent value if you think about that. and if you break off a piece and stick it in the ground when you plant them it makes a new plant asap, so really good value if you take a second to do that.

pink champagne is growing on me too. i now have several more than i would have due to the lowes label error last fall. but the blooms are lasting a long time, and if they plants get some size on them, i will like them. the ones from lowes actually were pot bound roots (which is why i bought them) and the plant size this year is good. no complaints on that. exceeding expectations.
i top dress a lot and use different mixtures. sometimes straight oyster shell. sometime Nias posy power or my own compost mixed with sand. what i have on hand and instinct. i am doing a lot of sand this year and oyster shell to combat the clayish soil here...as it soaks down, hopefully it will lighten the soil. i am inconsistent with these mixtures, but they all seem to work. when i buy oyster shell i tend to use it asap , as the bags up here are paper and if they get wet, a mess. sand i keep around in 50 lb bags lately so sometimes it is on hand and easy vs trip to feed store. i do have covered storage i can use for the oyster shell, need to get a lot and do that. am going to see if i can drive 20 miles or so, to the "country" and get a better price. i am using either sand or oyster shell right now every time i top dress, usually mixed with compost, i used to do compost mixture only sometimes. but the sand (or shells) helps drainage and is cheap too. like that part.
this morning i spent 3 hours out in the garden, john warren has opened a couple of buds, giving a taste of what is to come as they are loaded with blooms. here is one that i measured with my hand and lower arm, it's gotta be 8 inches across. i have john warren in a few spots, it is my favorite clem bloom of all. not plant, but bloom....
seems to be beneficial.