I sure wish making up my mind what kind to get was easier..............sigh! I want early and late blooms and I adore the white but am afraid it will become boring, the purples are gorgeous. What do you suggest? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
djs
I sooooooo want a lovely clematis!
I just bought a jackmanii superba this spring, and it's blooming like crazy. I don't know if it'll bloom all summer, but it sure is pretty now! It has more leaves than a regular clematis, but it just looks that way because I planted 3 morning glories in with it so that I'd have something blooming this summer! I didn't expect the superba to bloom, and it did.
djs: Since you are just starting out with Clematis, you want to focus on Group 3's, primarily viticellas. Why? Because they are resistant to Clematis Wilt. Once you've had success with Group 3 Clematis, then add Group 1's, which are the early Spring bloomers. Grow several varieties of each group first before venturing onto the Group 2's, as these may succumb to wilt.
If you think white Clematis are not as exciting, check out "Huldine", which is a Group 3. It has to be one of the most beautiful of all the white Clematis blooms. It has a faint purple stripe on its reverse side that appears as a pink bar on the front. It's one of the most coveted white Clematis' on the market. As your Clematis collection grows, you will want white and paler colored Clematis, which grow well in semi-shade, to contrast with your darker colored ones. Also, white flowers act as a neutral balance when growing many different Clematis' together.
Do look through the Clematis pictures featured in DG's Plant Files, as well as, on this forum. You will begin to see the "favorites" and the "tried and true" varieties, plus new comers. You'll get lots of great ideas for growing them in your garden, through shrubs, Roses, or in containers. Good luck!
Thanks Rev.......for information on the jackmani :)
djs
Thank you Shirley for all the great information and I will be sure to go check out the plant files. I will be looking for c-3 for sure as I am a first time grower of clematis and want to make sure I don't take on more than I can handle. Huldine sounds very pretty..............I am going to check on that one first. Again thank you so much this is very helpful to me.
djs
I agree with Shirley...if you really want to get your feet wet and build your confidence growing Clematis..then the Viticellas/pruning group 3s are the way to go!!..One favourite of mine is Clematis "Venosa Violacea"..I love this one so much I have two and am trying to root another for my gardens!!...Such a versatile clematis IMHO!!...Jeanne
