Clematis: I can't stand it!, 1 by citybusgardener

citybusgardener wrote:
I came back to update you Pirl on the Clematis columbiana.

I've found the place I will order them from, and they had the info I wanted.
http://www.plantsofthewild.com/



A vine that creeps along the ground. Pale purple bell shaped flowers are followed by silvery seed plumes. This is a very delicate clematis, and is not invasive or aggressive as many others are.

Berries: no
Drought Tolerant: no
Evergreen: no
Flower Color: pale purple or blue
Flowers, Berries or Seeds: silvery seed pods
Mature Height: up to 6'
Sunshine: partial shade
USDA Zone: 3
Deer Resistant: yes

I am so happy to find this place. They are in a tiny, tiny town in Eastern Washington, not far from me, and lots colder. so with their set up, not hot houses, I know plants that are doing well there, will do great here. A hardiness test. LOL They have found a way to make a living in this more remote place, where the town gets smaller every year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tekoa,_Washington

They grow for restoration projects, but do sell to home owners, I'm guessing 'for the cause'. Plants are liners, and look like the ideal size for such projects. At $2.50 each, for the clems I want, it's perfect for me.
Biggest part of the thrill is seeing so many bog plants at prices I can afford. Been wanting to set up a bog, pond, hydroponic thing.. but stopped at the huge specialty prices of plants to get started. $20 to $30 a plant to test which ones will do well in my mostly shade is a lot ! I can play at $2.50 or $3 each. Same for some of the other natives they have that are suitable for my place. Like most shops, most plants are for sun, but that's okay..I know my way through that part.

Interesting news on the Bushtit Niobie. It's now a sad, wind torn, whipped to the ground Niobie. Completely down. First time ever. So this may be the year she gets fixed up right. Thanks for the reminder on the manure. I tend to forget till later.
It's so soggy and colder now, that all waits. The washtub she's in is on top of a being built concrete pieces wall. The wall held fine till last year. When I went to fix it I found a nest of Bumble bees right there, happily doing their thing, so it all waited.

In other news, Sally Squirrel appears to be :VERY pregnant, so any day now. I also found our new neighborhood working cat has so wisely found my little plastic green house, pulled the seat cushions stored there down, and is happily staying dry, and warmer than outside. Smart little guy. Here in the city we need a few smart mousers that sleep all day, and work hunting all night. My kitty Karma was our last one. He died this winter after taking care of business for over 19 years, and we all miss him. It's hard to find a good cat for this job, so this new guy showing up was a stroke of luck. Luck for us, and mostly for him. He's a beautiful Himalayan ( looks like pet quality purebred,, that somebody dumped off here. Some people. :(

Here's my Karma last summer. He was mostly retired then and down in weight. Normally a solid 23 pounds, this picture I think he was down to about 18 or 19 pounds. Arthritis for several years as well as a cataract on one eye, but he was still happy. Just slower. We neighbors are all aging as well, so we understood, you know. New cat apprenticed under Karma, who sort of approved after new guys accepted that he is number two. One job of the resident cat is to keep all other cats out of our gardens, so this was a big deal. My garden is not a litter box, thank you very much.

Oh, and yes.. I'm thinking of how to help Niobie climb to the sky. Thanks for the push in the right direction. Easy enough to throw a line up over the cherry tree branch and use that to pull up what ever I decide to use. First it's a matter of the rain, then the wall. Like always, first A, then B, then....