I love clematis, but they don't seem to love me. Their roots are in shade, they get plenty of watering, but they don't get more that 4 or so hours of sun. I like pink, white, purple, and even blue. Does someone have suggestions for clematis that bloom repeatedly, throughout the season. The one I have had greatest success with is autumn blooming paniculata.
I live in zone 5, and have rich loamy soil.
I hope someone can give me the names of very hardy clematis
msmouser
very hardy, shade tolerant clematis
Is the area in the dead shade of a house/garage/shed or shade of a tree?
Does anything grow there now? If so, what?
No, they are on a fence that has very open slots. They get the morning sun, and some late afternoon sun, but there are a lot of trees above them
msmouser
It sounds doubtful that the clematis would thrive. Would you consider planting a clematis in a big nursery pot and burying it in the spot where you want it to grow? Then, if it doesn't flourish, you can move it.
Here's an interesting link to a Fine Gardening article about growing clematis and companions in shade - I hope it helps you since I've never grown clematis in restricted sun as you seem to have in that area.
http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/shrubs-perennials-support-clematis-vines.aspx
Some clems do do better with a bit of shade. I know there are some that will fade in full sun. I have HF Young in part shade, Alabast and John Paul along with Ville de Lyon and Nellie Moser. Otherwise they would fade out some.
Here is a listing of some clems that prefer less sun or a north wall. Also, bear in mind - full sun for you and for me, is not the same thing as full sun for somebody that is in California or Texas. http://www.chalkhillclematis.com/nursery_shop/partialshade.htm
Nelly Moser is a star for me in the shade. Others don't do as well as if they had more sun but I'm not moving them!
Pink Flamingo has proven to be a robust grower and bloomer in heavy shade for me, but they are not the big dinnerplate blooms. They are the smaller nodding blooms. Pretty, dainty but tough, it didn't miss a beat through the drought this year.
My Pink Flamingo was just planted in 2009 but, thanks to your post, Louise, I'll have to dig it up and move it since the "robust" part of it will overwhelm the Japanese maple where I have it planted.
Thanks for the tip, Louise.
I planted a Clematis viticella "Blue Angel" on a fence under a big cedar tree 2 years ago. It is doing fine despite my forgetting to water it in our cool but dry summers. It is lovely. You might try the viticella types- they are generally supposed to be more tolerant of dry conditions (like under a tree). My Clematis viticella purpurea plena elegans gets a bit more sun, but also has root competition, and has also survived my neglect.