If you're not going for a specific clem that you know, what do you look for when shopping? I'm talking about catalogue/Internet shopping right now, and the info available that way.
Thanks!
Shopping for clems?
I'd opt for the best company - I'd stick with Brushwood for healthy plants, good value, fast shipping and reliability.
Are you asking a question that applies more to the 3 different groups of clematises, when they bloom, how big the flowers are? Just speaking personally, I go for the photo that impresses me most and then research online at DG and ATP.
Below you can see that paying double does not guarantee a better, healthier plant. It's my own fault that I allowed the one on the right to get root bound. I did tease apart the roots and it is doing very well! I took photo #2 yesterday.
Don't be lured by price!
I know I would have been in shock when I saw the one to the left. I am sure you were also. That is just not right. Shipping and selling a plant like that and asking such a price. I stopped ordering from a place that I use to order all the time. When they shipped me a bush, did I say bush, a stick they called a bush for almost 19.00. Yes it lived, but it took 3 years to get to become a bush. I told them I could have bought a real bush for that price. Needless to say I no longer get their emails...lol
How coincidental, Marie. I had dealt with the company that sent the pathetic plant, for many years. When I complained about that clematis they sent another one - identical to the first. Then they made things worse by stating they could substitute for any plant ordered that they no longer had! I haven't dealt with them again.
They need to state the size of the plant not the pot size and show a picture of what you will be getting, not show a full size plant and send you a teenie tiny version of it.
I am forewarned! Thank you for the tips; now I can start burying my money, so to speak.
Have fun! You might enjoy just scanning through these clematises, listed by popularity, to see if you spot something you love:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=clematis&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&searcher%5Bgrex%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
I am coming in and just reading your clematis post/responses nearly a year later.
I am curious if you will divulge the companies you bought your two (in photo) clems from and Marie, you also?
I responded by Dmail.
Silver Star Vinery has been great for me.
Thanks valal for reminding me of this discussion! And the Clems I got from brushwood last year have already started to bloom this year. They were great plants.
I prefer Dan's at Brushwood or Joy Creek and Garden Crossings