I put in new beds and planted tons of new clematis and have more to plant!!I'm such a naughty girl..but oh my how I love it!!..Hope you enjoy...Jeanne
OOoooopppsss..I did it again!!
Which soon became this
And I started to plant more clematis!!
And even MORE
And even more and more
I've begun to believe I'm obsessed!!..I've got about 8 more to plant!!..Jeanne
Wow jeanne I sure would love to see your gardens in person!!
Jeanne I also love them. I put in 72 of them only 55 are different varieties. I had a carpenter
make me several screens. He made them put them up and everything for $440.00.
I.ll send out the picture. You might think of doing something like that. For next year i already called him and ordered a screen to go across 35' of my back yard!! I need places to put my Clems!!
On my screens are planted three clematis each. Some are very small and not doing as well so I may have to move some around next year. But oh I do love 'em tooo!!!!
Julie
Jeanne...after seeing your pictures, I'm more confused than ever about location planting for Clematis. If the roots are supposed to be in shade, how can yours do so well in full sun...especially given the heat in Texas? (Or have you since planted other things around them to shade the roots?)
Jazzy...you mentioned moving some of yours that aren't doing so well. How difficult is it to move them and still have them survive? I have 3 that have only been in the ground for a little over a year, and are all planted to grow up through roses. They did bloom this summer, but weren't anything spectacular, though I didn't expect them to be the first year.
Mine seem to get shaded out by the rose foliage.
If you want them to grow up through roses, do you have to plant them at the same time as the rose? The roses mine are planted around were established bushes by the time I put in the Clematis...but the roses seem to "take over" very quickly and at the expense of the Clematis.
The pruning issue is another on-going dilemma, too. I never know how far back to cut them (or WHEN, for that matter) and still have them exposed to enough sun to get them top resprout in the spring, especially when there are other plants growing around them.
I see all these incredible pictures of Cleamtis by you guys and can't figure out what it is I'm doing wrong !!!
Jasper said: "I'm more confused than ever about location planting for Clematis. If the roots are supposed to be in shade, how can yours do so well in full sun...especially given the heat in Texas? (Or have you since planted other things around them to shade the roots?)"
Jasper..the old wives tale of "clematis roots being in the shade" is totally wrong in what people perceive from that statement..what is truly meant is that Clematis "Need" to have their roots stay MOIST..not SOGGY but moist..having the plant mulched and being vigilent about watering them will accomplish this..
"The pruning issue is another on-going dilemma, too. I never know how far back to cut them (or WHEN, for that matter) and still have them exposed to enough sun to get them top resprout in the spring, especially when there are other plants growing around them."
Jasper...One should prune their clematis Late Winter/early Spring...being in a warmer zone like me your most probably want to prune your clematis in Mid February...I do mine at the same time that I prune my Roses for the first time of the year...so calibrate when you do your Roses and you'll know when it's time for your clematis!!..or at the same time the Forsythias are in bloom is another way ...
As far as HOW to prune..you want to prune your pruning group 3's about an inch above the 2nd or 3rd leaf axil..for the newly form buds will emerge from the sides of the axil..I will post a pic to show you what freshly pruned clematis look like..
Julie said: " Some are very small and not doing as well so I may have to move some around next year. But oh I do love 'em tooo!!!!"
Julie..when did you plant them and what types are they?..Remember that you can't expect much from your clematis the first couple years as they are the "1st year they sleep", "2nd year they Creep" and "3rd year they LEAP" vines...so if they are newly planted this year...please leave them and let them get their root system established so you can see how beautifully they will perform in your gardens...also this is important for both of you ...Hard Pruning ALL types of pruning groups the first couple of years will let them grow strong root systems and they will be better off for it..I hard prune all of mine the first two year and then the 3rd year I let my Pruning group 2's to be pruned as they should be which is..you only prune them AFTER they have bloomed and ONLY to shape and keep in bounds!!..
Jasper..one other thing...being so hot here...I find that my clematis do best in 6-8 hours morning sun and shaded or filtered light after that..some of my pruning group 2's do suffer from "Brown-out" (leaves turning crispy brown) but do rebound around the middle of September and start putting out new leaves and bloom again..Hope this helps and thanks for the compliments...Jeanne
Jasper and Jeane
WOW lots of ques. and Jeanne you have very good answers!! The clematis I need to move are those that are more like Patio plants or only grow 4-6' they are really too short for my screens and would be better running through a rose. Jeanne I do agree with your sage advise about leaving them in the ground for at least 3 years to get their full potential.
I find those in roses just need to be fed as my roses will suck up alot of the fert. Jeanne what do you use?? (for fert.?) I don't seem to have a problem moving them and I always try to be sure they are under the soil line by about 2". I also use tons of free wood chips and put about 2-4" on the surrounding ground. I do use my tubs planted with canna to shield the sun which is TRUE is not about "no sun" but the surrounding soil retains the moisture better!! I love the contrast of tropicanna (orange flower) with all my lavender, mauve, and pinkish clematis. I plan on twice as many tubs next year just for effect. Also I do not always get my cutting down done on time. I have 300 roses and 72 Clems. Some years they all can't get a trimming!! So the tubs hide a weak or flowerless lower plant.
I think it works great because it is also in the far back yard and the "view" from any part of the yard is glorious!!
Jazzy...my first application in my fertilizing regime is I give them 13-13-13 and my Alfalfa Tea..then a month later they get my Rose fertilizer which is a high middle number..of course all my flowerbeds receive a couple inches of composted cowmanure and then a layer of mulch in late spring...I wait that long because I want my self seeded flowers to emerge!!
I am just mad about Alfalfa tea and use it on everything..especially my roses..they show me their gratitude by sending up tons of new basal breaks!!
I agree ..if what you have planted there are the Evison "Patio Series"..they will never reach the top of your trellis...Had you ever considered adding climbing roses to "Esplanier" along those trellis as well?..Would really look scrumptious IMHO..Jeanne
Jeanne, thanks so much for the clarification on the "shaded roots" principile. This makes things much more clear and easy to see what I've been doing wrong. Another DG member echoed your same thoughts and verified that as well. Thanks also for the "visual" on pruning !
I will be doing CPR this weekend (Clematis Plant Relocation !) and now that I have this new info. hopefully I'll see better results.
JD
JD..Happy CPR!!..Hugzzzzzz...Jeanne
Awesome Jeanne! Your garden gets more and more beautiful with each passing year! It's a floral work of art!!!
Jasper: I always try to plant my Clematis on the North side of any Rose or shrub. That will help to keep the Clematis roots shaded. Also, I place a heavy rock or brick turned on its side to also shade the Clematis roots. Planting a lowing growing perennial or annual at the base of the Clematis that does not compete with its roots is another alternative.
Keep in mind that the light colored Clematis should be planted in a partly shaded location so as to not bleach out their delicate colors. The dark colored varieties can handle full sun much more easily.
Patience is DEFINITELY required when growing Clematis. As Jeanne mentioned above, they don't hit their stride until about the 3rd year. Then stand back and enjoy their floral show! Some varieties are more vigorous than others. Some will scale a tall tree and others are meant for patio containers. You need to due your homework ahead of time....prior to planting.
You will soon discover that growing Clematis, like many other types of plants, will quickly become an obsession! Clematis come in so many colors, varieties, shapes and bloom during various times of the growing season. They are like potato chips....you CAN'T just have ONE!!!
This link will give you a lot of information about growing Clematis Through Roses. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/673866/
Happy Clematis growing to all!
Thanks for the link Shirley. I'll ck. it out.
Jeanne, I'm so happy to see your comment about the "brown out." That's exactly what happened with my babies this year and I was worried that they were in trouble. But, just as you described, once it cooled off a bit, they are putting up some new growth. Yay! I'm glad to hear it's normal.
Digigirl...
And I am so glad to see you posting !!!..and that your clematis are showing you how they are loving our cooler weather...you should be seeing some blooms here and there as well!!..Mine are blooming as if to say,"Here's a final bloom to help you get through the winter..will see you again next Spring!"..How I shall miss them..BUT, I did have Clematis "Florida Sieboldii" blooming in late Jan/early Feb last year!!...Hugzzzzzzzz...Jeanne
Thanks. :) I haven't been posting as much lately, but I'm still lurking about. I've discovered I'm a real wimp about the weather. I love gardening in Spring and Fall, but Summer.... I just want to sit inside in the a/c. lol. My poor yard looks so raggedy now!
I think that is a Texas thang..I'm the same way...I get up at 5:30am and when it's the hottest part of the Summer I go out into my garden at 7am and am back inside by 8am...too HOT!!..And my garden was showing it with all the weeds!!
I hear that!1 My garden suffered alot this summer. It was so hot every day little work could be accomplished just a bit of weeding and feeding. I never got any BIG jobs done or even started!
I hope we have a cooler spring in 2008!!
Hi Y'all; I'm sureglad y'all are having such good luck with your Clems. Mine are driving me crazy!! I bought 3 in the Spring. The Josephine died,Jacmanii & Claire de Lune are still living,barely! The Jac is in the ground facing East & the Claire is in a pot facing North. The Jac has very tiny leaves. Most of them are pale green with brown tips. It has had a few blossoms before the leaves turned. The Claire has healthier looking leaves.a darker green & has grown to the top of the trellis. Both of these babies have very spindly vines. The very bottom leaves have died & fallen off. I feed them Miracle Grow & water them frequently. They are well mulched. Am I doing something wrong here? Are they going to die on me? I would like to buy some more,but I'm afraid I'll lose them. I hate being a failure!! If y'all can help me I'd appreciate it. I need your help!! Thanks!
Hello my fellow Texan!!..You are about 15 miles from McAllen?..I think I know of your area..I wouldn't count Clematis "Josephine" as dead if you have still be watering that spot..she most likely wilted which is common among some of the Pruning group 2's..I have found that living in our warmer climates that Clematis grow best in morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light...they like to be in a spot that will stay moist as they really need that..their roots drying out is the kiss of death..I have an online Gardeningbud that is growing the Pruning group 3's very successfully in Phoenix of all places by growing them as I mentioned ..your zone is pushing the limit for them but it's doable if you do as I said...you seeing the yellowish leaves with brown edges is a mixed sign of infrequent moisture edging on brownout..My clematis leaves will eventually turn yellowish before it goes dormant for the winter..right now they are lushious green and blooming..which is normal for me with the cooler temps and wetter fall..
I have a drip system on my clematis that are in pots...it comes on three times a week and they really like that..Clematis grown in pots tend to dry out quicker than those in the ground..ALWAYS plant your clematis 2-4 inches deeper than the pots they were in ...I pull off the bottom leaves and make sure that leaf node is underground..it will root as well and make your clematis bigger and stronger...Your clematis "Claire de Lune" and "Josephine" are both pruning group 2's and "Jackmanii" is a pruning group 3...come next Feb 14th you will want to hard prune all three clematis as if they are pruning group 3's..this will make your clematis focus on growing their roots and be stronger for you...above you notice my "sleep","Creep" and then"Leap" analogy....so give them a few years and they should grow just beautifully for you...Also your mulching them is great..that will help them to stay moist...When I am out in my gardens I am always sticking my finger in the soil to make sure it's moist...if not I water...fortunately I have a Sprinkler System so that makes my job very easy!!..The same time you prune them you'll want to give them some 13-13-13 and a month later some Rose Fertilizer...I also give mine Alfalfa Tea...Jeanne
Jeanne,
Did you buy your clematis locally? I can't imagine that many. I can't wait to see pictures of them in bloom.
Kathy
Kathy..unfortunately my local Texas Nurserys don't carry clematis..I get the impression they think we can't grow them here or they aren't popular..I can get the "usuals" from Lowe's and have but most of my collection are ordered online...99.9% ..thanks and can't wait to share pics next year...Jeanne
Did you buy through Bloomingbulb or one of those companies? The Lowes/box stores here sell plants with 3 inch single root system !!! They would take years to produce a flower. I won't buy those.
k
Kathy..My favorite online clematis nurseries are:
Dan at Brushwood Nursery:
http://www.gardenvines.com/catalog/clematis-c-21.html?osCsid=4fd2d5bd8e792374bec6c61111f40d17
Jeremy at Koi Gardens:
http://koigardenclub.com/Clematis.htm
Joycreek:
http://www.joycreek.com/ref-cl.htm
Murray Rosen at ChalkHill Nursery:
http://www.chalkhillclematis.com/nursery_shop/nurserystore.htm
GardenCrossings:
http://www.gardencrossings.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.main&alphaKey=Clematis%20A-L&whichName=genus&showIntro=0&hardinessZone=
As usual..always Check out Dave's GardenWatchDog to find the lowdown on plant vendors before ever buying...I've had great service with these companies...Jeanne
Have you tried Silver Vinery Clematis? I love them. I have the largest rootballs from this company and I've tried a few of the ones you listed but none seem to compare to Silver Vinery.
If you haven't tried her you really should. Everyone I've communicated with at DG and locally who have purchased from them are extremely pleased. I had some bad luck with a few of the others, as far as replacements. But when I found these I couldn't believe the root systems. I even got great info on planting, growing, etc. Watchdog has great reviews too.
I'll give a look at your list and see what they offer. These are such wonderful plants to have, and your vines climbing the roses are beautiful. You've done well with yours.
Kathy
thanks for the link.
Hi Jeanne; Thanks for the advice! Happy Thanksgiving to you & all you Clem lovers. I don't see any sign of the Josephine but I keep hoping. I don't know where Willis is. I'll have to look it up on the map. I am 20 miles from McAllen & about the same from Harlingen. I am 6 miles from the mexican border. It's like living in another country,mainly Mexico.Yesterday it was 90 degrees & today it's 50. Can't be good for the plants. I grow most everything in pots because I live in a mobilehome park & have very little land to work with. I have always loved Clematis but only decided to grow them this year. I'll try to be patient. I feel lucky to have had some blooms so early on in their lives. I'm looking forward to many ,many more in years to come. Thanks again for the advice!!
Thanks Jeanne for your postings. I just created a post for newbies like me and it is reassuring to know these plants do so well in TX - and you're considerably farther south than I am at that. Your information was great and I will keep it in mind as I plant.
Hello All Haven't posted here in a while. Just wanted to tell all I have silver lace and Sweet Autumn
they are two vines i would not be with out. But for me the sweet Autumn does reseed all over the place. I have 6 little starts from last year. It is not invasive but can be a nuisance. I do pick them up and use them else where or plant exchange. So i think they are great. I do not have Josephine but have heard she is not vigorous and in fact a very puny grower? True??? Or false?? Any one???
Well I got my first 2 catalogues and I am off to my coffeee and my dreaming!!! You Texas girls have it made. You get to garden all year round!!! Or do you????
Julie from Michigan