Clematis

I love clematis soooooo much. I just want to hear about your stories on growing it - either successful or unsuccessful. I am curious to know what varieties you like and why etc... Anything you want to offer I will gladly read. I planted a lot of them last spring so I am just hoping they survive the winter.

Dawn, I was totally new to clematis. planted 2 (Dr Ruppel and Arctic Queen) in the spring of 2005. they both looked ok in the fall, but spring of '06, only Arctic Queen came up. It got about 5' tall, 4 or 5 nice blooms. But nothing on Dr Ruppel so I figured the winter killed it. I went ahead and ordered Liberation, a very similar one, to replace it. Planted it about 6 inches away from where Dr Ruppel was on the same obelisk. Along about the middle of August 2006, up sprouts Dr Ruppel. next thing you know its almost 6' up the obelisk with several vines and it's getting buds. I kept hoping I would get to see a bloom, but it was the end of October and past time for a hard freeze here. here's the bloom from 11/10.

I heard later from folks that know clematis that this is not unusual. But still seems pretty weird to me.

ps here is Arctic Queen (a double white) which is sharing the same copper obelisk

gram

Dawn, keep track of what group each one is. It's important to know for pruning reasons.
I only have one variety, Polish Spirit. It was a gift many years ago, since then I've started many new plants from that one.
Here are 3 on a low fence, last Summer. These are about 5 years old.
Andy P

How do you propagate it, Andy? Layering?

I take a robust branch, lay it on the ground (someplace I can easily dig up next spring) and place a stone at every leaf junction to hold it against the soil. As it grows I add another stone on the next leaf junction, until mid July.
Next spring I cut the stem off the mother plant and snip between stones. Most leaf junctions will have roots below them. These will be long white roots about the same thickness as the stem. Carefully dig them up (go deep), plant each in a deep 6 inch pot. Keep the roots shaded and damp but the growing tops in the sun. They may bloom that first year. Plant in their permanent location either that fall or the next spring.
It takes time but they are free and you know exactly what you are getting.
PS: The Polish Spirit is a great FIRST Clematis because it's easy and vigorous.
Andy P

Thanks, Andy. I figured it was layering.

Wow Sarahskeeper! Your clematis is amazing!
I've had the same experience with the disapearing clematis...only to have it suddenly reappear sometime in the summer.
Tamberlin

Dawn, here is Ramona, that I let scramble through my Juniper. You can see that the red anthers pick up the color of the little Japanese Maple in the upper right hand corner.

Victor

Victorgardener - I am really impressed! I have one Ramona and she's not looking like yours a bit. Is there a secret to getting a clematis to flourish?
Thanks
Tamberlin

Hi Tamberlin,

No, I don't really do much. Plant them deep. Prune them according to their group - although now I cut them all back hard the first year or two to really get them going. I fertilize - when I remember! This Ramona did not get fertilized every year. Wish I had more 'secrets'.

Victor

Here is Duchess of Edinburgh - nice double.

Victor, I guess I could have saved myself a lot of typing if I knew the term 'layering', lol.
Andy P

True, but you gave a great how-to for those not familiar with it! Thanks.

Victor

oh dear... I see another plant I want!!!! I have kept myself away from clemantis...

Before last year I only had about 3 or 4 clematis. Last year I added quite a few more and the addiction began. Now, I am officially hooked. Have more on order this year than I care to admit.

ok,,, I am trowing the towel... why resist.... which one is the easiest one to grow???? it must be dark purple...

Anyone hear that the bottom of the plant should be shaded. I've had a difficult time growing Clematis on a lampost at the southwest end of my yard. I was recently told that the first 6 inches of the plant should be shaded. Any thoughts?

Oh gosh I love the pics!!! Keep em coming! Thanks so much. All this talk about clematis is getting me soooooooo excited!!! I love those purple flower pics! OMG great! The double white flower one is gorgeous too! I think I have 2 Presidents, Nelly Moser and Jackmanni. Oh gosh I hope they grow this year! They were all new when I planted them last year!

THey like getting some lime.

Kathleen, I've always been told to keep the roots cool and the tops sunny. Late last summer contradictory opinions were voiced, so who knows.
I have noticed that they can take 3 or 4 years to really get established.
Choose your location wisely. My first one was planted just north of a young but fast growing evergreen tree. Within 8 years my Clematis got shaded out.
Andy P

I wouldn't go crazy over all these 'rules'. I have acidic soil, don't use lime and have not had any problem. As for the 'feet in the shade', that really has more to do with preventing the plant from drying out than anything else. Clematis need water. A normal covering of mulch has worked fine for me. I don't shade any part of the stem that is above ground - at least not intentionally. Sometimes other plants just grow around the area. I am sure that even if you planted a clematis in full sun and left the ground bare - no mulch or anything - but kept it well-watered, it would do fine. I am not recommending this of course. Any plant that needs average to above average moisture should always be mulched or protected by a groundcover. I plant mine in full sun (except for some shade tolerant ones), deep, at a 45 degree angle and mulch. I water when there has not been enough rain - especially for plants less than 2 or 3 years old. When I remember, I use a time release fertilizer. I also use a bit of triple phosphate when planting - I use that with just about everything I plant.

Here is Crystal Fountain

Will Goodwin

Hagley Hybrid

Betty Corning

The President - with fallen petals from New Dawn Rose - makes a nice combo.

oh my... I am in trouble....

Victor, those are lovely.

Kassia, you can get wonderful purples in clematis. Starting with Andy's Polish Spirit. The pretty ones Victor just pictured. Dawn mentioned jackmanii which is a beautiful deep purple (my next door neighbor has it). I have ordered Etoile Violette from Suzy Verrier at North Creek to grow with Compassion (climbing rose).

did you know there is a 'help me find' for clematis?

http://www.helpmefind.com/clematis/clematis.php

gram

Here's one of the best, if not THE best, online source for researching clematis.

http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemalphasearch.cfm

Victor, Those are gorgeous!

Thanks Dave.

Victor, that Crystal Fountain pic is gorgeous. I planted one last year and would be happy to get just one bloom like yours this summer. Thanks for the winter lift!

You're very welcome. I just planted it last Spring and it only had I believe two blooms - but they were spectacular.

Have to jump in here with my Dutchess of Albany

I also love Betty Corning

Thx Victor and Andy P. Sounds like it's getting the appropriate amount of sun and shade. Perhaps I'm not keeping mine watered as much as it needs. I'll give it one more try this year in the same spot.

There is a co-op by notmartha with a few $4.00 clematises left. Hurry if you want them.

Beautiful pictures, Everyone!

Andy, is that your garden behind the clematis? It looks idyllic.

Lortta

One whose name escapes me at this moment!

Victor - Is that Venosa Violacea? I ordered two of them from the co-op.

I did see the co-op sold out fast once the good folks from this NE forum visited!