Okay, so I was at Home Depot yesterday and they had two of those big rolling racks full of the little orange pot clematis all marked down to 2.49 each. They were almost all dead or at least wilted back. I did manage to rescue two decent Niobe and one Fireworks. I was thinking of growing the Niobe up one of those little half round trellises under my weeping snow fountain cherry and then through the canopy. The cherry is only about 5.5 feet tall right now. Does anyone know if the clematis would do any damage to the canopy of the cherry? Thanks :-)
Clematis up a weeping cherry???
Woe is me ;-) Does no one have an opinionexperience with this??? Thanks.
Clematis such as 'Niobe' or 'Fireworks' would not hurt a tree's canopy, but I wouldn't personally use these to grow through a tree. 'Niobe' grows about 6-8' tall and 'Fireworks' grows about 8-10' tall. I don't know how tall a Weeping Snow Fountain Cherry will ultimately grow. In a couple of years, the tree will be much taller and these Clematis' wouldn't be tall enough . A taller growing Clematis variety would be your Montanas that can grow 20-30'. However, they may be too vigorous for your Cherry tree. Hope this helps.
Shirley,
Thanks so much for the advice. I guess it is just wishful gardening on my part. I have a habit of finding plants first and then desperately trying to find a place for them :-) The thought of leaving those poor things to die at the HD was unbearable. Perhaps some of those downspout trellises would work -- I am running out of verticle space, yikes!
Have you paired Clematis with Roses or Shrubs, in containers or as stand alones?
Irishbelle - I'm not sure about how it would affect the cherry, but I have a weeping snow fountain cherry and it's not supposed to get very tall. Mine's about 5 feet tall now and slolw to grow. It's tag said that it grows to 10 feet. I've seen a couple of websites that say 12, but nothing more than that. I think, therefore, that the tree would not be much taller than the clematis and in fact it would be a good combination. A 20-30 foot clematis would overwhelm such a small tree. They are designed to be small trees. However, I'm not sure if it might cause too much shade to the branches, etc and cause any problems with the tree's growth.
CM, yes, it is a rather short tree. I do so love it and am concerned not to damage it. Shirley, I have not yet been very creative in my applications. I have a number of clematis up obelisks in various beds and climbing trellises laid against some of the outbuildings. This year 2 Silver Moons went into my new light shade garden under a pine that has been under pruned about 12 feet up. I do have a few with some roses. I am always looking for good ideas if anyone wants to share. Unfortunately, I am not a pot person. I love them, but they are a bit too much maintenance for me. I have a hectic travel schedule and not enough time for the water commitment required. My new purchases are two Dominika bought as a gift for my mother, but since we share the garden space, I get to enjoy them as well ;-)
"From Choosing Your Clematis". John Howells. Garden Art Press. 2000.
Some combinations:
The most spectacular pairing you will make is that between Clematis montana and a large tree in the spring, huge trees like evergreen oaks, Scots pine, chestnuts, etc. For a montana try the native montana, C. montana, or 'Grandiflora' (white), 'Mayleen' - (pink), 'Pink Perfection' (pink).
Conifers are an excellent background for clematis. You could try a small montana such as montana 'Freda' or macropetala 'Wesselton', early in the season, or orientalis 'Helios' late in the season.
Holly makes a fine background to clematis. Best to use the late flowering clematis such as the viticellas. Trim your holly tree or hedge in the spring, allow your clematis to climb into it in the summer, prune your clematis after flowering and give your tree or hedge an autumn tidy.
Golden Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia') is not only an excellent small tree for a garden but has spectacular yellow foliage. Any blue clematis looks gorgeous against the yellow. For example 'Jackmanii', 'Gipsy Queen', 'Etoile Violette'.
The white-leafed pear (Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula') is possibly the finest tree host for a clematis for its silvery foliage is a superb backdrop. It will take three clematis, either in sequence, or flowering together. See suggestions above.
A fig tree with its glossy green foliage can be a fine background to a macropetala.
Cotinus makes a lovely background. The very dark variety can host viticella 'Rubra'. A lighter variety would be a lovely host for viticella 'Betty Corning' which has scented bells. 'Madame Baron Veillard' would be fine even in the autumn.
Rhododendrons are drab once they have flowered. For a large rhododendron grow into it 'Paul Farges'. Watch carefully that the clematis does not damage the host. Immediately the clematis has finished flowering, prune it to the ground.
Wisteria is the finest climber for hosting a clematis. Try to match the flower with 'Niobe'. Once the flowering is over many clematis look fine rambling among the beautiful foliage. Try 'Gipsy Queen', 'Jackmanii', 'The President', etc.
Jasmine nightshade (Solanum jasmoides 'Album') is a very strong climber. It's white blooms mix well with clematis. Try 'Mrs T. Lundell' or 'Triternata Rubromarginata' which has a gorgeous smell. A Ceonathus can look drab after its gorgeous flowering. Use the dark foliage for light-coloured or white clematis, for example, 'Nelly Moser', or 'Huldine', later on.
Donít forget your creeping plants and your creeping conifers. A whole host of clematis look fine rambling over them. In particular use the best ground cover clematis of all - 'Jouiniana praecox'."
You are an angel -- thanks so much for the ideas! There are many rhododendron in my landscape and other potential supports now that I read through your excerpt. I may keep Silver Star Vinery afloat single handed with all the purchases this year.
Glad these ideas helped. You might also want to Goggle "Clematis Grown Through Shrubs" or through Evergreens, or Trees and you might get some more hits with great ideas. That's how I came across the information above.
Debbie will be delighted that you are "single handedly" keeping Silver Star Vinery afloat!