A day late; a dollar short, but that article was perfect timing on when to trim. It also waylayed a few fears about killing the plants we have. Some were already here when we moved in. The ones I planted to so long to develop personalities (to be kind), I have to go back to see if I can ID them. They are finally "leaping" to my amazement.
Lots of buds, so I hop there's something to post.
Marcia
Spring clematis chat continues
If you have buds you will have photos, Marcia. Fear not! Enjoy each bloom and give them some manure and Epsom salt if you can (and mulch).
A few years ago I had this Anna Louise clematis growing but just for one year, then it disappeared and never showed another shoot. Yesterday, while looking at another clematis in the same area, I saw a sprout about a foot tall. Until it blooms I won't know if it really is Anna Louise or if Henryi is continuing his travels to the west. I love a good mystery!
Yearning for Anna Louise again, last year I ordered and planted a really nice one (from Brushwood) and it's growing well for a first year clematis but isn't in the garden with the original.
Hey pirl or anyone else who can answer. I have a shrub clem. can't think which one it is at the moment, but it's about 4ft around. Gotten pretty big, and i wanna move it and also is it possible to divide it? Never tried before so I'm asking first. Was doing cleanup in the clem area and got cuttings from the plant above and another, will try to roots these with hormone powder. Any tips or anwers? Mine are just beginning to show some leaves and most that I planted last fall made it thru the winter, still have a few scragglers not showing yet (tho not clems).
If it's dormant it will be easier on you and the plant to move it. Most plants of any kind shouldn't be moved just as they are about to bloom.
When you dig it up it will likely fall into sections. That's what happened to two of mine (that weren't huge or even big) when I moved them in November. When they divide themselves you'll have to decide how to cut it back because the stems will have intertwined with one another. It can be messy and leave you with a large plant containing several areas of dead stems.
I'm of no help on rooting cuttings. I've tried often and never succeeded.
Layerings are almost 100% guaranteed but leave them in place for at least a year before moving them.
Hello everyone, I haven't posted in a while, crazy busy at work. Here are a few more of my blooms that have happened in the past two weeks.
Peony Bowl of Beauty with Duchess of Albany. The second picture is yesterday after the rain, and shows Siberian iris Snow Queen, that is now blooming profusely this week.
Josephine is also starting to bloom.
Niobe looks the best it ever has.
I love the way the bloom color changes as it gets older. It's as if I have 2 clematis in one. Here is more of Patricia Ann Fretwell. It's still not showing doubles yet. Maybe next year.
Clematis Huvi, a happy accident that it was planted with foxgloves of a similar color.
Wow Cem...Just beautiful...I think my fav is that peony!!! Altho that pix with the digitalis is stunning, amazing how the colors match.
Annette
What is Huvi growing on? I have 1 to plant and 1 that I really need to move and am clueless where to plant as I am running out of room. I am thinking about letting the one sprawl and mixing the other with some other of contrasting color (maybe). Not sure what I am doing yet.
hi Everyone,
I am joyfully occupied feeding many different plants now and tying in young clematis shoots. It is wonderful to be in the gardens on these quickly changeable early(for here) one day 80 the next in the upper 40's! I hope everyone is well and finding time to tend their gardens.
I drilled holes either side of Niobe and filled them with old horse poopie, bone meal, and Alfalfa pellets I hope this helps the feeble soul.
Cem-My Josephine is very vigorous this 2ond spring, I'm sure looking forward to it this year,thanks for the pic. I hope you like John Warren, I read they can be a brat but, mine is sure happy ! Your Niobe looks great mine looks like the proverbial 98 lb. weakling, now in its 3rd. year! It s on a fence line bed that I prepared all at once, all the others Henryii, noid, Fire fly,Multi Blue, and Alana are doing just ducky in the same bed.That.s gardening I guess.
Kathy- Welcome Warrior ! Your border garden looks great.
Lily Love- Your Nelly M. looks wonderful! If I find a good plant locally I have to have it! I say locally because,I am done ordering and am a little embarrassed about what I spend on plants! So, you see a single plant purchase doesn't count!!
Pirl- Henryii with a hundred buds already! Henryii remains my all time favorite! I am so looking forward to pictures!
Kiseta- I have never seen a "Ruutel" clematis plant I look forward to seeing pictures of yours. Are they bright ping with purple on the borders?
John- again I am so excited about your seedlings, I an sure you enjoy them!
Lee
Good morning Cathy, Huvi is planted in my hosta bed, and is growing on a stand for my hummingbird feeder. It only gets afternoon sun, and I love the effect of the contrast with the variegated hostas it's growing with.
I noticed my first hummingbird last night, the feeder was put out this morning. Annette
Hi Lee, I agree that Josephine is very vigorous. I had to get inventive with the staking this morning. John Warren has already put on some new growth since it got planted last weekend, thanks to our rain this week. Annette
Such gorgeous photos! For your Josephine, and the new growth bound to happen, you can use a big branch from a tree, just stuck firmly in the ground. The clematis will fill the big branch in a few weeks.
Bowl of Beauty and the Duchess look perfect together.
Josephine looks fantastic.
You have the best Niobe! Mine is more like Lee's - pathetic as usual.
Patricia Ann Fretwell - I doubt I'll even get blooms on mine. It was just planted last year.
Huvi, the foxgloves and the hosta make a dreamy photo.
Lee - as soon as Henryi blooms you can bet I'll post photos.
Yesterday I was thrilled beyond words to see Pauline blooming. I bought her in memory of my dearly departed former neighbor, Pauline Isabelle Reid Loeffler, who taught me to garden. Her initials spell my DG name of pirl.
Hooray for Pauline! Teaching a person to garden is like teaching a person to fish and a few other euphemisms. Good deeds all. Patience required on both ends and a lifelong ambition. And I see you are passing it on. Hooray for PIRL and pirl. You both have a legacy and your enthusiasm knows no bounds. It is obvious that you are beloved on every forum you participate!
P. S. I don't know where you get your energy.
Thanks so much, Marcia. At 70 I can tell you age is taking a toll on me: I slept 10 hours last night but my "to-do" list is shorter than ever before and I'd be out there right now but the mowing/blowing/edging brigade is here and the noise (even from inside) is horrible.
All gardens have been weeded and mulched, even the vegetable garden has been weeded, and yesterday the scarecrow got her outfit for the year. All 49 new lily bulbs have been planted, begonias will be planted when it's warm enough as will the 100 caladiums.
Mrs. Loeffler, as I always called her, lived next to me in my former Tudor, with her extra lot for gardening between our homes and that is where she taught me. Born in Albemarle, NC, she retained her appealing and charming accent until she died at 103. A very active gardener and loyal church member she only gave up gardening on her knees when arthritis set in (at 88) but then she weeded standing up and continued until she was 95. The one quote from her that my kids still remember was, "I'd rather die than ever see another slug" (but with her drawl it sounded so much better). Here is her photo the day Jack and I got married when she was 90.
Arlene, such a beautiful memory and how you've lovingly honored Mrs. Loeffler. I can only echo what Cathy166 has already said. And thank you for passing on the love of gardening to others as you've shared on DG.
Aw, thanks, Kim. That's so sweet of you and Marcia to say!
Here's the scarecrow for 2012 making her fashion statement. I buy from the church thrift shop so all proceeds are put to good use.
Little Duckling in bloom, and not sure who the other one is,
Very nice, Marie. Little Duckling is also sold as Piilu, if I remember correctly. The other one is very lovely on that trellis regardless of a missing name.
This year my Gypsi Queen is doing grate, already 6' tall and have a few buds. She is the only goup 3 I have and I had cut it back in Spring and looks very happy. Will send pictures when in bloom. I have not heard anybody have it, It is a nice deep burgondy. Tomorow my shippment will arive from Brushwood , finnaly my Daniel D. is comming.
Some of my clems have browning bottom leaves, is that a sign of overwatering?? help Etelka
Great news, Etelka, about Gypsy Queen. Those group 3's can really put on a show.
Show us your Brushwood plants when they arrive.
I don't know about browning bottom leaves. Clem's like consistently moist soil so please use mulch. A few inches would be ideal. They do not want more water than they can handle. I'll research the problem and let you know if I find a cause or a remedy. Is it Gypsy Queen that has the browning leaves?
Etelka: this is what I found ...
Why does my Clematis have Brown leaves at the bottom?
This often happens with clematis in the heat of the summer after blooming. It is unsightly, but is usually not an indication that the plant is dying. Make sure the plant has plenty of water and new sprouts should appear when the weather gets cooler.
The information came from this site, which appears very helpful to clematis lovers:
http://www.clematisinternational.com/growing.html#pg3
Lee - on the above site they mention a clematis grower who uses Osmocote!
Pirl, It is not the GQ that is browning, it is one of my HF Young, I have some pine straw around it, will add some more. How often can I use the Epsom salt around the clems, once a month? I bought some Alfafa for horses, keep them in water in 5gallon buckents, use it as a tea.This has more alfalfa then the pellets, but has to be screened, lots of green stuff. Next time I will get the pellets so it will be less trouble. We had a nice rain for two days, nice and slow so my newly planted annuals got a good soaking. Will have a lots of different color zinnias, hope they survive the grasshoppers. I will order some of thet Nolo bait, it is 40.00 doll for 5lb, will see how that does. Used the slug repelent, hope the rain did't wash it away. Pirl, I love your " all woman" scarecrow, it is shick. Thanks for your advice on the bown leaves. The garden will look very nice this year, but we have some trouble with neighbors playing loud music, I finnaly called the police, will see how they are beheving. It is kind of intimidating to say something, but I can hardly enjoy my gardening when the owful music is plying. All the houses where brocken into, next week I am planing to go to N. Caroline, and it is kind of unnerving to leave the house like this. It is a lots of meanness in this world. Etelka
Love the scarecrow pirl!!! What are you using it to scare off? Think it would work on deer???? And where did you locate the head? (buy)
Talking about neighbors. I noticed one of my climbing Hydrangea's is dead. My husband thinks the neighbors put poison on it. It is my fence, but she seems to think we share it and puts dirt and mulch all up against it on her side and now the fence is getting rotten. Plus I hate it when her son plays his drums. I really enjoy a good drummer , but he is not it.
Etelka - I've never had any problem with HF Young. Sorry, I wish I could be of more help. Once a month is fine for Epsom Salt drinks (for the clem's, not for you!). I'm glad you like the scarecrow! She was fun to assemble. Good luck with the Nolo and with the loud music. I've never understood how people can actually listen to music played that loudly. Some alarm systems are not very expensive at all. Why not call one and get a price to put your mind at rest?
Kathy - alas my scarecrow serves no purpose other than my own amusement and that's fine with me. It does not frighten deer, rabbits, raccoons or squirrels - not even crows. I bought the glass head at Pier 1.
Eek, Marie! My neighbor clips my Silver Lace Vine so I do know the feeling. Try using your blower when the neighbor isn't around to blow away everything she piles by the fence. If she is at home and hears you then you can tell her it IS your fence and you don't want it to rot. Bad music is an assault on the ears. I hope he's 18 and will leave for college soon to spare you the noise. I've never had that problem in any house.
Pirl, you did not have to buy a dress. I could have given you one from my closet! :)
Arlene, i agree with Kim, that really is a great story about Mrs. Loeffler, and how she inspired you to begin gardening. You are now also paying it forward with all the knowledge you've shared with us here on DG. I must say that without all the info you've shared since I started reading the clematis forum, my clematis wouldn't wouldn't be doing as well as they are. Also, congrats on Pauline blooming, is it early this year?
Nice blooms marie_kap. How little is Little Duckling?
Etelka, I hope all your clematis do well this year. My Josephine is notorious for going brown and ugly at the base when it gets too hot every year, but it comes back each spring just fine.
Finally, neighbors, you just have to "love em". I could write an encyclopedia about all the crazy happenings here. Annette
This is only his second year, but so far he came up very strong and is about 2 ft tall with lots of buds. All of my others are loaded with buds. I will take more pics as they open up.
I think I would scare my self if I put that lady in my garden, i would have the feeling someone was watching me all the time....lol
Here is my latest bed finished yesterday with mulch. There are 4 clems growing on that trellis with 2 climbing rose's. In this picture I have 7 clems showing on trellis of some sort in the back bed, with 3 more not showing on trellis in there. The one has leaves so huge, you can see them in the pic, it is on the back of the trellis.
Thanks, Marcia, but Miss Scarenothing can't wear anything less than a size 8, has to have long sleeves and as high a neck as possible - no "revealing" anything in the garden! She makes shopping fun.
Annette - thank you so much but I think you're giving me too much credit. You are the one who did the work! I only received Pauline last year and it bloomed shortly after so this was her first entire winter here and I'm delighted to know she's an early bloomer. Mrs. Loeffler didn't have any clematises! She did have delphinium, lupine, digitalis, phlox, irises (I still have the irises), daylilies, yarrow and so many more wonderful plants.
I have a few that go ugly each year and this year I'm going to try any brand of fungal powder (sold in drugstores) to see if it will help. They do bounce back very well but I hate the black look against the obelisk.
Marie - those clematis leaves ARE large! So glad to see you've given clematises more clematises and roses as partners - double the pleasure, double the fun. That mulched bed looks terrific.
The scarecrow doesn't frighten me. After 15 years I'm used to her presence. She did look odd while I searched for the dress I knew I had!
Love those scarecrows and your sense of humor.
Thanks, Marcia. Sometimes it's a sense of humor that gets me through the tough days in the garden.
Minus the cost of plastic surgery to get her "fabulous" figure.
This was last year:
...and, as I suspected, she was not a natural pink head after all. She bleached out slowly but nicely.
I have received my Sizaja Ptitsa and Daniel Deronda from Brushwood today, they look very healthi the ptitsa has two blooms on it. Etelka
Wow! That's great, Etelka, especially the tongue twister in bloom.
I don't mind buying little plugs but this is proof of how terrific Brushwood's plants are. At my age I prefer Brushwood to waiting two years (or more) for plugs to establish themselves.
Just to brag about my street garden, I have planted some Yarrow, and today I bought some purple wave petunias, on the other side I have some yellow coreopsis, so when it fills in it should look good. Etelka
It's looking very good, Etelka. When the yarrow flowers dry up cut just the flowering stalk to the bottom and you should get rebloom since I do, way up here in the northeast.
Kathy - here's the glass head from Pier 1:
http://www.pier1.com/SearchResults/tabid/37/txtSearch/glass+head/Search/glass+head/List/0/Default.aspx
and the scarecrow right side up!
