I love the Clematis Henryi for my mailbox area. . .
But suggestions are needed what else to go with it.
(It is said: "Clematis like their head in the sun and feet in the shade".
So another plant is often planted at the base of the clematis vine to keep 'their feet in the shade'. )
I've used the variegated Liropi with my other clematis with great success but would like a different look for the front mail box area.
We get FULL SUN zone 7b . . . many things fry in this sun . . .
I got artemisia and spikes but now sure about that combination.
had thoughts about a red (or pink) dianthus, heat tolerant but not sure??
HELP!
Addition Suggestions for Clemaits Henryi at Mailbox
Sounds as if we share the same climate. Dianthus are pretty, but they require lean soil, almost xericscape condition to do well. Where as your clems. is going to require more moisture.
I'd consider 'Mouse's ears' sedum. Though, this one is not particularly showy with its yellow flowers (blooming now), but they form a low carpet like over the ground and could keep the Clematis shaded. My first choice however, would be creeping phlox. I would choose a brightly color creeping phlox, or a bicolor one that picks up the creamy white of 'Henryi'. (Note: creeping phlox only blooms in early spring, the rest of the year it remain evergreen, whereas the sedum will disappear over the winter months, but will sprout back after a winter of rest).
How big is your planting area? If big enough I would add one more clem. in the vicinity to complement, contrast with the white blooming clem.
i LOVE sedum with clems. angelina is a good one for me. not really high coverage, but nice on the ground and a great color contrast. i use sedum angelina at the base of my largest niobe,(full sun location) and plant to add it to the ground of more clems this summer. the nice thing about sedum is that it is so easy to propagate in your garden. stick a piece in the ground and before you know it, growing well.
Hey - I was curious about something....when you plant something near the base - how close do you plant it? Are you ever concerned for those sprawling plants? I mean it is ok if the ground cover you planted under the clem reaches the stems? I hope this makes sense? I was going to plant some Campanula around the base but then I got worried that it might crowd the clematis by the stems???
just answered similar on a different thread , no matter what it is i keep a defined circle of about 8 to 12 inches with nothing growing and little overhanging the base of the clem. keep it clem by trimming plants or shrubs that are in the way and pulling out ground covers or similar (like the sedum) that enroach on the clem real estate. at least with sedum you can plant what you pull out and it will grow!
Thanks for clarifying!
Ive some Niobi that may look nice with the white of Henryi.
Ill try the sedums. I thought clematis needed more water than the sedums thus the two not compatible. who knew . . .
thanks for the advice!
sedum is a very adapatable plant group. the plant has stomata that control or regulate everything. that is why is has a range of being able to tolerate full sun to partial shade, more water or virtually no water. it is one of the most adaptable plants on earth ....when conditions are not favorable it can "go dormant" at different times to cope. this is a very layman's explantion, but i found it fascinating when i began looking into sedum a few years ago. it is like the opposite of a clem in terms of being adaptable and easy care. that's why i love having a lot of sedum, only room for one high maintenence plant group around here!!!
how TRUE that is . . .