When are you planting?

plantaholic, yes Coral Bark is nice. I don't have it. It gets kind of big and I have red twig Dogwoods so I'm okay with red stems in the winter! Can't say I have a favorite yet. After planting this Spring, I will have about 12 or so, and some volunteer seedlings I have been playing with. I love the form of the weeping ones and have a mix of all the leaf shapes, as well as some reds and greens. The fall color on some just blows me away. I love fall color. Sometimes the fall can be more spectacular than spring because there is so much color at one time.

I am probably getting close to you with Clematis. Do you have a favorite one. Hard for me to pick since most were planted last year and this year. I do love Ramona, Will Goodwin and Hagley Hybrid though. Take care and Happy Spring!

Regards,
Victor

Planting 4 would not be a problem, it's just how the picture was taken. I am going now to find a picture of Silver Moon

What's a JM?

Japanese Maple.

Thanks - I would never have guess that.

So, I have found a source for the clemantis - but it only rates 76/100 on the garden watch. If I order one - can a take cuttings and make three more in the future? ($60 + shipping for clemantis is too rich for me at the present).

There are many other clematis growers that don't charge prices anywhere near as high as that $60.00, Seandor. Shirley1md listed several sites. I'll get them and post here.

Ooops - the $60.00 was for four plants. :-) You see, I really am frugal. It was $15.00 for one, so I thought if I get one at, say $25.00 by the time I pay shipping, then I could make the other 3. In three years, everything would look terrific.

I am a firm believer in taking the long view - since I will never have the finances to get everything I want when I want it.

I would like to see those other sources, though pirl. Thanks.

From Shirley1md, posted on Zuzu's blue flower thread:

My favorite Clematis nurseries are:
Silver Star Vinery [HYPERLINK@www.silverstarvinery.com]
Brushwood Nursery [HYPERLINK@www.gardenvines.com] and
Chalk Hill Clematis Nursery [HYPERLINK@www.chalkhillclematis.com]
You can't go wrong with any of them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've known people who successfully have layered clematis to make more but haven't ever managed to get a cutting to grow.

One of the issues with mail order clematis is that you are often sent VERY VERY VERY small plants with small root systems. That reduces the survival rate a lot. The bigger the plant, the better chance of success. I've ordered from several suppliers and my favorite for size of root system was Joy Creek Nursery.

Also, although Silver Moon is good in the shade, as I think more about it, I don't know if it will be vigorous enough to do well on an arbor. Its a Group 2 and I think you would be better off with a Group 3 for best results. Plus, the color is light and may not be the best choice for your white arbor.

I would try Polish Spirit. I'm not sure how it would do in the shade, but it is quite vigorous and my guess is it would bloom fine and look much stronger. And it is common enough, you probably could find it locally in a big 2 gallon pot for a fraction of what you would pay mail order.

Thanks! lots to think about. It sounds like I must order 4 if I want complete coverage. The silver moon is recommended for arbours. Is it the plant zone that is the issue?

I've ordered from Joy Creek and two of the three Pirl mentioned. The best, by far, in terms of root size was Silver Star. That's the 30 plant order I just planted. I wanted to take a photo of one of the plants but I was so intent on finishing that I did not. When I saw the mass of healthy roots on most, I could not believe it was actually taken from a 1 gallon pot! She charges $15 per plant but it is well worth it. Garden Crossings is also very good - 5 1/2 pots with very good root size. They are a great nursery overall and on my gold list.

Thanks, Victor. Having recommendations is the best advertisement any company could want. Silver Star is Debbie, right? So many people just rave and rave about her.

Technically, all vines are recommended for arbors. Its just that some clematis are more vigorous than others and will cover it better and faster (even though you are not in rush) . I think you will get more bang for your buck with Polish Spirit. I have Silver Moon. The first year it barely survived. Last year was its second year and I think I got half dozen blooms at best. I'm sure this year it will be very nice. But I don't expect it to be very big. Maybe half a dozen shoots. Polish Spirit put on a great show its very first year. It now has dozens and dozens of shoots. You will only need two Polish Spirits ---one on each side of the arbor will be ample.

The zones are fine, its the pruning Groups. Group 2 clematis are subject to wilt disease, some are more resistant than others. Group 2's bloom on new and old wood. (old wood in June, new wood in Aug-Sept). Sometimes the old wood will not survive the winter,especially on young plants, so you wait a long time and hope for a "second" bloom, which will really be your first. They often can be disappointing for a few years. If you are lucky with Group 2's and they survive and are strong by Year 3, you're home free. I have lost many Group 2's over the years.

Group 3 clematis only bloom on new wood. They are cut down to 1 foot or so late winter. (easier to deal with!) They hardly ever get wilt. They tend to have more vigor and get taller and put out more shoots. The blooms sometimes are smaller flowers but there's often more of them. Polish Spirit has good sized flowers for a Group 3.

Here's my Polish Spirit, it gets sun about 12-5. This was about 4 years old when this was taken. I just have a feeling that it won't mind having less sun.

http://picasaweb.google.com/gardengal4/Clematis/photo#4995952410509705234

You could always try both!

I've never used or heard of Silver Star. Here I go.... mmmmm....more clematis... Yea!

Yes and she is overwhelmed with orders right now. But I have had good clematis experiences with Joycreek, GC and one order with Brushwood.

plant - it's Silver Star Vinery.

http://www.silverstarvinery.com/

Plantaholic - not only is your rambling clematis beautiful but the whole slideshow was heavenly.

Thanks Pirl.

Victor, my cart had 6 in it before you sent that link :-) :-) :-) I can sniff out URL's with clematis!

Unfortunately, she has a lot out-of-stock, but I'm managing...