For some reason I've alway thought that clematis would be difficult to grow here. Or it would need too much water, or get too hot for it here. Also would it become a thug? My Felicia rose died and I need to put something else there.
Anybody in 8a growing clematis?
I grow Sweet Autumn Clematis, which made it up a trellis and even into the tree above the house. If it gets too dry sometimes, parts will die back, but not the whole plant. And I also have a beautiful native vine, Purple Leatherflower, Clematis pitcheri, which I really hope made it through the winter and the ice!
SilverFlutter ..I am growing about 60+ Clematis ( I grow tons with my climbing Roses) in my zone 8B..we can grow them!!..I along with you and many other Southerners thought it too hot here but there is a trick..I plant mine where they get 6-8 hours morning sun and they like to stay moist...I have some in afternoon sun but those must be watered more and tend to droop and fade otherwise...the Viticellas are great for Beginners....Remember they are the sleep, creep and then leap vine..so be patient with them....Jeanne
I'm in zone 8 and have Nelly Moser, Rhapsody, Sunset, Double Blue, and Josephine growing. The potted ones are even blooming right now because they are in the greenhouse.
Linda, I've heard the autumn clematis reseeds like crazy. Do you have trouble with that? I was considering that particular one because of the scent, but I don't want it all over the place. Does it need to be moist all the time too, or is that just the fancier ones?
Jeanne (I like your name, it's my DD's middle name, also my Mom's), I can't even imagine having 60+clematis. They are such beautiful plants! I think 60 of them would give me a seizure. I called a local nursery here and she said they can't take the sun here, so people plant them where they get only a few hours of sun. I will look up the Viticellas. Never heard of them before.
fBynedeweedBeth, how big are the pots you have them in? And do they reseed?
Mary Lee
SAD produces a lot of seed, but I haven't had many seedlings at all, for some reason. What I was told for it was a bit of shade and mulch around the roots, but the rest of the vine could be in sun. No, I don't water it that often
I have had Jackmanii for about 4 years. I mulch it well and protect the bottom of the plant/roots with a half of a pot until my other plants grow up to protect its roots.I babied it the first year but now it is gorgeous. It gets over 8 hrs of east and south sun. I have the SAC in a shadier spot. I used to get alot of seedlings so I usually trim it back after it blooms.
That's an interesting idea banana18 about the pot over the roots. Do you have any trouble with mold under the pot? And what do you plant for a groundcover to protect the roots?
I haven't had a problem with mold. I use a pot that has cracked in half, that way it just shades the roots and allows the rain to reach them. I have salvia on one side and drawf maiden grass on the other. Jackmanii grows up on the wrought iron fence. I think a med height , 2ft, is better than low ground cover. A rock could work too. My camera just stopped working, so no pics for now.
What kind of salvia do you have there?
It is salvia greggi. I will protect the clematis roots untill the salvia and grass are tall enough after their "trimming". Maybe I will leave one clematis just with mulch now that it is established.....
Is the salvia woody? I have learned to be very careful about what I plant next to roses because of competition for water and space. I have tried germander and irises at the base of my climbers and run into problems with both of them. I have not tried salvia yet, but maybe I should.
Yes, it is the kind that is woody and stays green in winter. I think it is quite drought tolerant. I have it about 18"- 24" away.
Oh Ok. I thought you had it right next to the clematis.