What's blooming today # 2

Al, I'd like to walk around your yard some day. Like Victors and so many others.
Eleanor & Dawn, Clematis take a few years to really get going. My 'dog fence' is 8 or 9 years old and those Polish Spirit continue to get bigger every year. They may take over the house in another 10 years.
Andy P

True on the Clematis. Sleep, creep and leap really does apply to them.

Thanks Andy.

So do your clematis die back at all or just keep getting bigger every year?

Al, they are Group 3. I trim them down severely in late Winter to about a foot tall. Basically, I leave a couple of inches of last years new growth. It takes a while to clean it off that wire fence.
Here are the 3 vines as of yesterday, not yet in full bloom. On a 3 foot fence with 2 foot extentions above each plant and jute twine in a swag. This is all new growth.
I check it every day and snap pics as it gets better.
Andy P

Andy - WOW!!! Al - beautiful blooms! So last year mine was in the sleeping stage and this year it's creeping - how long does the creeping stage last before it begins to leap?? How do you know what group the clematis is in? What are some good varities that can be cut back each year. I have a bridge in my new garden area that I want a clematis on but the bridge needs to be sealed yearly. A clematis that can be cut back would work so the bridge could be sealed. I plan on using some kind of netting attached to the bridge as a trellis. Would an Alberta Spruce planted at the back of the bridge work as a good trellis? I would keep the Alberta Spruce shrub size and not let it get to tall. Would love to try a spiral haircut on an Alberta Spruce but afraid to try it!!! Eleanor

Al, here's another picture of Tokajer taken this morning.

And this is my Burgandy one.....not ready yet!

amazing pictures!!! My condolences Victor....I know she would have left Michael for you.

Here are a few of mine - again..I never know their names.

well - except for Stella D'oro

This is more golden than yellow

This colony of lilies have been here since the house was built in the 50's

Weren't you planted in the 50's too ;) Nice lilies.

OK Pix. I keep looking at this photo of it;
http://www.waltersgardens.com/image/lib/whatsnew/PDF-87.pdf

hey....

Anita doesn't have a date stamp, Al.

Great daylilies, Anita, and colonies of Asiatic lilies are wonderful. Every year I try and squeeze in a few more.

Al, It is much darker than that picture.....here's a few different ones taken this morning. Maybe it lightens up as it matures??

Eleanor - normally by the third year it's growing pretty well. Here's a great site for group info, as well as lots of other stuff, including lots of photos.

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

Victor, I broke down and bought the "John Paul II" lets hope it's as pretty as the picture!!

It says semi-shade, would this be a good one to grow at the base of a tree then?

This message was edited Jun 28, 2007 8:57 AM

Could be. Most important thing is probably that it gets a break from afternoon sun. Some varieties can't take it and get faded out quickly.

Then I know where to put it. I have one area of the yard that gets morning light from sunrise to about 11am. Then it is shaded until approx. 5 - 6pm.

Hey Andy-I have had great luck with most clematis's I've planted over the years, but for some reason I just haven't had any luck with them (Niobe's). Thanks for the information, maybe I just need to be more patient. Was babying numerous Niobes from a co-op and seem to have lost them all-although I did plant them and am holding out hope for next year on them. They are so stunning, am hoping for the best...

Victor-Thanks so much for the link-lots of very helpful information!!

~Dawn




This message was edited Jun 28, 2007 12:00 PM

Eleanor, It takes a good 3 to 4 years for them to 'leap'. Don't get discouraged, just be patient. When I planted these 3, every year one or the other would look wimpy compared to it's siblings. By year 5 they were more evened out and all were 'leaping'. They have deep roots and can easily grow with other shallow rooted plants right next to them. Mine have Day Lilies on one side and the lawn on the other. The prepared bed is only 18 inches wide, on the outside of the fence.
Most info tags will indicate the Group. Group 3 needs hard pruning in Winter or very early Spring.
I don't know about the Spruce, especially if you plan on pruning it. Pruning would need to be done around June first just as the Clematis is leaping.
Victor, that's a nice info site.
Andy P

Thanks Victor and Andy. Lots of info on that site Victor. Eleanor

Maybe Pix - I do see some peachy tones on the outer petals now there.

Eleanor and Dawn - I only have three Clematis that are older than five years. Thinking back, it was the third year, as I said earlier, that they seemed to take off. But that did continue the next couple of years. One very helpful hint - if you have a group 2, which normally does NOT get cut back hard each year as the 3's do, treat it like a group 3 for the first couple of years - cut it back hard. That encourages more stems and a fuller, bushier plant sooner than it otherwise would be. Also, when planting, plant it deep - crown about 2 inches below soil level and plant it at a 45 degree angle. That also encourages more stems. Remember to water regularly. I have only lost Clematis to dryness.

Wow, guys! Thanks for all the helpful tips on the clematis!!

Pixie - I have your flower again - Pixie Meadowbright
It is a hardy compact echinacea.

Semi nonfancy daylily. Any guesses?

The flower has been the hardest for me to photograph for some reason.
Zebrinus malva

Nice purple dahlia here - Downham Royal

Beautiful photos, Al, as usual. Love that purple/violet dahlia.

very nice Al. I like the Zebrinus (don't have any - how easy are they?) and the color of the Dahlia, even though I'm not crazy about Dahlias (are you gasping??).

Al, Daylily guess....Bonanza?
I really like "pixie" LOL Of course I would!

Victor,
Zebrinus malva is very easy, i grew mine from seed....they reseed themself. Have had mine for 3 years but I think Andy has his for a long time.

Thanks Celeste. Do they bloom long? Full sun? Nuisance re-seeders? How tall?

Lady Scarlet.

I thought you didn't like hot flowers! Nice.

Zebrinus flowers from now until freeze(not frost)LOL

I knew you would say that! Exceptions to rules...When is a freeze not a frost? Or vice versa? I guess David Frost.

Frost is: you cover your plants and they're fine, a freeze is you cover them and they still turn to plantsicles. We all have exceptions - I bought 3 leopard's banes on sale today.

I was playing. Actually, frost is when your wife....freeze is when your wife....

Per Michael?