Clematis

Loretta, that's the back yard, yes. but the gardens are not really in the pic.
Here is the yard from another angle looking over the Clematis.
Andy P

Victor, it looks like a lovely purple butterfly :0)

That's it, Pirl - thanks. Thanks gram.

Hurray! That must be the first one I have identified though I've planted over 70 of them.

Congrats Pirl. Hope you're better with the grandkids!!

So far, so good!

Niobe

'Liberation' - my personal favorite.

Judging by the pics on this thread, Queen of the Climbers is a well earned moniker!!

I think I saw Pirl & Kassia ordering on the clematis co-op (now closed). Anyone else? Wish I saw it earlier. But I still got 2 Comtesse De Bouchard and 1 Ernest Markham.

I'm trying to get my photos in order and then I can post some more clematis photos. It's when they've finished blooming that they can look awful.

Some have really cool looking seedheads, though. This looks like the Beatles.

Agreed! They last a long time, too.

Lately (since last Spring) I have been using Clematis almost exclusively for growing up / through shrubs. How many others are doing this? There are really two ways to go. One is to pick a variety that will bloom at the same time as the shrub. The other is to have the clematis introduce some color when the shrub is either done with its bloom or doesn't bloom at all. I have been pairing it with roses (of course), viburnum, hydrangea, spirea and pieris so far. I also tried it in a hanging basket last year and left the basket outside, but in a sheltered location. I knew I was tempting fate (should have brought it into the garage) but it was with two of the most hardy varieties - zone 3 I think. And I used the Ramona as a scrambling groundcover. How is everyone using them?

I put three on a magnolia: The President, Comtesse de Bouchard and Serenata.
There are two varieties on the Crape Myrtle: the double white Duchess of Edinburgh and Fireworks.
An Andromeda in the rose garden has two more Duchess (she was on sale that year!).
The Tardiva Hydrangea tree has three in pink: Hagley Hybrid, Duchess of Albany and the infamous "I forgot".
The rose, Queen Elizabeth, is host to (of course) Royalty Clematis.

Oh, I left out my crape - thanks Pirl. That "I forgot" one is pretty common. Can't even recall what color it is.

For me it's pink - the "I forgot" one. I could go look but it's cold outside.

Well, after seeing all these pictures I could not resist... and yes I ordered 3!!!! I have no idea where I am going to plant them but I am sure I will find a place.... I have a tree that I am going to take down - I mean the tree is dead, so I am cutting all the branches and keeping the tree so birds can live there but I have a a white climber Sombreil to plant close enough to grown around the tree... so I may plant one naiobe next to it... what do you guys think???

Ta-da! City of Lyon is the third one.

Kassia - it's hard to find enough room to accommodate the roots of a clematis when you want to plant it by an established tree. Once it warms up and you can dig around it you'll see what kind of space you have.

Pot them up in the meantime.

That should be a nice combination - light and dark. I have a white clematis growing through a burgundy Japanese Maple and the combo is striking.

Pirl, what I am thinking is to actualy do a raised bed around the tree... I have do dig 2 big bushes near the tree to plant some roses so I can just actually to the bed around...

the strange thing is that every single time I go outside I am trying to "see" the garden....

That's not always so easy, Kassia. Maybe if you do even a rough sketch of it that might help. Color in the sketch with crayons. Do a good job and maybe, next week, you can work with scissors! It's a good way to pass the time on a snowy day.

Victor - have you tried any of Raymond Evison's patio clematis?

No Pirl, I haven't. Have you?

Kassia, both roses and clematis grow deeply and require good drainage and good moisture. I would still check around the base of that tree. If there is enough soil (not too many roots), I would dig it to loosen it before doing the raised bed. Also, consider a decent sized raised bed - more than the conventional 12 inches. It may just be easier to find another spot.

Having tried it, Kassia, I'd definitely agree with Victor. To avoid disappointment and despair a new raised bed would be ideal.

No, Victor, I haven't...............yet.

I have Clematis Romona growing at the base of my weeping cherry, hopeing to have it grow into the branches, the wire support that you see doesn't go all the way around the tree. This is the third year, the picture is the 2nd year (first time it bloomed). I mulch and fertalize each year, as I feel they are compeating for the food in the soil.

http://www.greenbeam.com/features/plant090604.stm

Above is the link showing Raymond Evison's lovely patio clematises.

lady - I spread some 5-10-5, a tablespoon of lime and on top of that add deoderized manure - about 10 - 20 pounds per clematis and give more to those by trees.

Pirl, Thanks I'll make a note, need to check on my lime supply come spring, I'm trying for some Dalphiniums from seed and they will need lime also.

Our seed for them just arrived yesterday but I'm still ordering at least a tray from Graceful Gardens. It always seems that we want the plants another zone grows.

Thanks for the link Pirl. They are very nice. More temptation.

Too much temptation, Victor!

Pirl, I just had to look at Graceful Gardens, I knew I just should not have done that, now I have to mop up my keyboard, drool, drool ! lol It is snowing again out side, winter snow storm is here so I need beatuiful sites to look at. Thanks

Chris

I feel the same way, Chris! No snow here............yet.

Pirl, how is Graceful Gardens? I have an order in with them for spring delivery. This will be my first experiance with them.

Mine, too!

I've used Graceful Gardens 4 or 5 times. I like them a lot.
Dave

Good to hear. I was planning to order some annuals from them. 100% positive on GW. Where does everyone buy clematis?? I have bought quite a bit from Garden Crossings. Some from Joycreek and one or two from Brushwood Gardens. This Spring I have placed my first (and quite large) order from Silver Star. Great rating and I have gotten to know Debbie quite well. I have a strong feeling it will be my only source from here out.

I'll have to look into Silver Star. Thanks for the good tip. Do they present accurate colors online? Crystal Star appears blue at some places and lavender at others. It's almost as confusing as daylily colors.

Our initial clematises came from Wayside, back when they were a good company.
Many were bought locally.
One bag came from a big box store.

Thanks, Dave, for the thumbs up on GG.

Colors are always dicey. I always check multiple sources first.