Elsa Spath

This is one of my favorite clematis.

That is really pretty........

Never heard of this one, but it is really pretty. Cala have you had good success with rooting clematis. I tried cuttings last year, but they never took..then I got a few from layering instead.

Joydie

No, I've had terrible luck rooting them. Someone said to layer and I'm going to try that.

Vibrant color Cala, I have a couple that I am waiting for blooms, from last year. I see that they have some buds on them, I keep checking daily.

Wow so beautiful~

I have this one too - it's my third try and in its third year - tough little one!

I love this one too Cala - my favourite colour!! Layering is definitely the way to go!! Ann is your plant in pretty rich but well drained soil??? I'm sure you know their requirements!! I plant my clematis about 4 inches deeper in the soil than it was in it's original pot so that if it should develop clematis wilt, then it will regenerate from below soil level!! Another thing I do is put a layer of sea gravel - 2 inches deep to assist drainage!! I'm sure you all know that too - but just in case :-)

I didnt know that Louisa, thanks for the tips.

Let me clarify - I tried two other varieties of Clematis first. The first year it grew all season and it did not come back, the second year the second one did not come back either. The third year I planted the Elsa Spath - it has now made it through three seasons. I did not know it should be planted that deep tho. Temperatures got down to 30 below this winter and I did not cut it back this year and it is already sprouting new leaves all the way to the top. So, I'm thinking it must be tough if I (or the extreme cold) didn't kill it :)

Thanks for the hardiness info RiseAnn. I am going to try to find this one.

Joan - I have some seeds - but I don't know how difficult it is to grow from seed. So far I have only managed to get Clematis tangutica to grow reliably from seed - I have some seed for that too if you are interested.

RiseAnn, you have mail! Well, just as soon as I type it out!

This is so beautiful. I love the color. My sugar candy is ready to bloom. I also have a niobe and nelly moser (I think) that I planted 3 years ago that have buds on them for the first time ever. The niobe is already to the top of the trellis. I love clematis. I would love to have one of every variety.

Ann that's encouraging news and good tips on the hardiness aspect!! I only have four at the moment. The viticelli hybrids that are laden with foliage from the bottom up and buds already showing. The montana already bloomed and John Paul is shooting up vigorously. I think the late cool Spring and the rains are certainly helping them along!! vic I love Niobe - she's looks like velvet :-)