Hi Arlene,
I've cut back the 4 Arabellas. Most of the other clematis are looking pitiful, after our freezing weather, except for Moonfleet that was planted on October 27th. I'm waiting a bit to cut back the others.
Also, I had spoken about Snow Queen that I planted last December by my mailboxx and in March it looked dead. I revised the area around the mailbox this weekend, and dug up all the sage that had become root bound with lots of thick tubers. I found the crown of Snow Queen, with healthy roots. It's been replanted, and I hope it does better next year, now that the plant is not competing with the thick sage tubers.
I haven't begun to think about orders for next year yet. I planted 8 new plants in late October. I also want to work on layering more of my favorite plants, so that I can spread them around the garden.
Annette
Fall 2013 chat
I finally stopped dithering and got the rest of my surviving clematis in the ground. I bought so many over the last couple of years, and lost more than I should have. I do love them, but working them into the gardens here has been a real challenge. I don't have suitable walls or fences or tall enough structures except in places that aren't really seen or are already full of rocks and roots. They all suffered from not having a proper home, but this year, thanks to Pirl's self-watering pots, several made it through the season: Miniseelik, Asao, Nelly Moser, Hagley Hybrid and Venosa Violacea.
Earlier this season. I planted Jackmanii and Arabella by the arbor in the Blue Garden, 2 Veronica's Choice were already there. Nelly is near a David's White Phlox, and HH is between 2 roses, a pink and a white. VV is near a low box hedge but outside its root area. Asao is in a wooden barrel planter. Miniseelik is between perennials, hopefully it will sprawl nicely. If any or all of these are successful, I'll have a much better idea of where to put more :-)
Annette - as I recall you did buy many clematises this year! The older ones look sad at this time of year, it's normal (but still not a subject for the camera). Hurray for you rescuing Snow Queen. I lost some many years ago, that were too close to other plants with major roots and that's why I won't put clem's near such plants again. Why force them to struggle to survive? Anyhow, I'm glad you managed to save Snow Queen. Layering is well worth it and the work is so minimal that you'll be happy you did it. Just let them root well. I moved three I found (probably self-seeded from Nelly Moser) and lost every one of them by moving them the first year.
If anyone has Duchess of Albany - please try layering it in spring when the stems are so supple and easy to lay on soft earth, cover the nodes with more soft earth, then water. It's SO easy! Top with a nice stone and you'll see just how fast that one roots!
Pam - it's a good feeling to stop the dithering and get on with the job! Those self-watering pots are such a delight and so easy for getting a big rootball. Then they can be moved with more confidence that they will survive. I've lost enough so I can sympathize with you on that count.
You can try some of the black trellises available at Lowe's that seem to disappear from 20' away and, once filled with a clematis, you won't spot the trellis. They are not expensive - around $30.00.
There are two pages: http://www.best-deal.com/search/landing/query/trellises/s/google/koid/3050831920/?query=trellises&gclid=CIib8P2elLsCFaxr7AodZlgAZw
Sounds like everyone has been hard at work.....I've just left my clems alone, will fertilize in the spring, & hope for the best!
I have been thinking about moving my Texensis. She is in a bad spot and so does not flower like she could. I have to figure out where I am going to put her. We are supposed to have some weather in the 50's soon and I would prefer to move her while she is dormant.
I've been cutting back the group 2's in the hopes of more blooms next year. Other group 2's had to be cut back for the expansion of a garden and they'll be moved when the work begins. I have not been feeding but have added more mulch as I cut back each of them.
Once I cut back the Tardiva hydrangea, on which the Duchess of Albany grows, I got a ton more blooms. We're due for the high 50's to low 60's on Thursday but then a return to the cold weather for the weekend.
The few warm days are like heaven....too cold too soon this year!
Yes! They're talking about the possibility of snow for Sunday! Too soon!
Snow & freezing rain....what a mix!
How odd. We don't live that far apart and we have fog and 60 degrees. Just a few miles west of here, while I was at the dentist, it was sunny and wonderfully mild.
My weather is dependent on our altitude......I live at the beginning of the Berkshires, so we often get snow while just a little south of us gets rain....my son lives 40 minutes north, much higher, & his temp is usually 5-7 degrees colder....much more ice & snow than I get...Mohawk ski area is just down the road from his house.....
You're right. When it comes to altitude we're way down around 17'. It was cold and windy here today but yesterday I did some garage cleaning and that one section now looks so neat compared to how it was before I began the job!
Don't know if I'll ever get to the garage! I can hear my late husband's voice chiding me, but I'd rather be knitting!
I've only begun the job. Much more work awaits me and that includes the joy and excitement of sorting bags for yard waste according to size. Such thrills. I'd really rather be knitting but don't know how to do it.
Pirl, I knew how to crochet, but about 5 years ago, our library offered free classes in knitting....about 50 women showed up! Some dropped out, but I stayed the course.....now I can knit using double pointed needles, & am making mittens, hats, & sweaters. It's really fun........
That's very encouraging. Thanks.
Pirl, it is a funnies thing with my Neobe, all the leaves are still green and the bud that appeared 2 weeks ago is still there ready to oppen. It will make me very happy if she survives. I been shopping on Friday and saw this arrangement, I have been dreaming about it the whole weekend, so today I went back and it is mine now. Hope everybody likes it, it is Christmas present to my self, just encase everybody skipps me. Love you all and hope the weather will treat you right. Etelka
It's lovely! I do the same thing and always buy things for myself so I'm sure to be pleased.
I love the spotted pointsettia....I always buy my own plant gifts as well!