Okay, it's unanimous--no orange jumpsuit. However it was suggested by more than one
of you that I consider a fitted PINK version. I concur and will be commissioning Vera as soon as she's finished counting her losses with the Martha poncho lookalike. And then Sunita reminded me that it could be worse. In her neck of the woods the jumpsuits are white with black stripes. Hmmm... it's a toss up.
of you that I consider a fitted PINK version. I concur and will be commissioning Vera as soon as she's finished counting her losses with the Martha poncho lookalike. And then Sunita reminded me that it could be worse. In her neck of the woods the jumpsuits are white with black stripes. Hmmm... it's a toss up.
Anna asked if I've grown Clematis from seed. I've tried. On two occassions. Both times the seed was bad. Certainly it couldn't have been user-error. I got me some bad seed.
Deborah asked about Clematis tangutica 'Grace.' I too was familiar with only the yellow flowered species until serendipity led me to the "bargain" [rescue] corner of the posh nearby nursery. There was 'Grace,' looking forlorn and marked down to a "you'd-be-a-lunatic-to-pass-this-up" price. I killed 'Rogucchi,' Wendy. Being completely defaced with mildew didn't do it. Leaving it in a small pot during a cold spell did. I'm an idiot. I want 'Betty Corning,' Lythrum. It's on my list.
So what do we got here?
Top row:
Clematis texensis 'Duchess of Albany;
The Dutchess with 'Ville de Lyon.'
Middle row:
C. 'Venosa Violacea'
C. 'Confetti'
Bottom row:
An unusual sport blossom on C. 'Niobe.'
C. 'Earnest Markham'
Not pictured: C. 'Henryii' white, large flowered. C. 'Kathleen Dunford' pink, semi-double, large flowered. C. 'Liberation' striking violet, large flowered. C. 'The President' deep purple, large flowered. C. viticella 'Julia Correvon' deep rose, medium sized flowers.
So where do I have all these babies growing? Julena asked if I have a dozen arbors. No, three. And a lot of flat, wire trellises.
And as Linda Beutler states in her engaging tome,
Gardening with Clematis: Design and Cultivation
"All shrubs and trees were put on the planet to support and enhance Clematis."
One more bit, if you can stand it: Admittedly I'm "Going Rogue" [ahem...] but here is my simple pruning method. When the vine is finished blooming, I cut it back at a leaf joint to within a foot or so of the ground. Then water, fertilize, top dress with compost and stand back!
Ignored through winter, in early spring I check for green leaf buds at the lower end of the vine and cut just above it. The viticella, texensis and other non-hybrids will sprout from the ground. Either way, it is easy to get rid of the dead stuff which encourages the new stuff.
If this doesn't compute, don't blame yourself.
24 comments:
Lovely, just lovely clematis flowers.
I aspire to roses and clematis growing together -- I can do roses, clematis is a bigger challenge. When I lived farther north, clematis grew in the crape myrtle trees; doesn't work here.
Grace, One of my garden tasks for spring is to add a clematis to my fence border. Thanks for all the inspiration as I ponder the possibilities over the winter. -Jean
Ooooooh - more loveliness to drool over ! I wondered about whether you had grown from seed as it saves the pennies if you have got the time. What a shame that the seed you had was past its sell by date :)
Grace,
I not 1005 sold on the bad seed deal. Not everyone can grow plants from seed anyway :)
Glad you called this posting Part 2 as that means there can be many more parts.
Meg and I visited Duke Gardens today, took notes and photos of somewhere around 38 different camellias in bloom! I'm sure that is a fraction of what is still to bloom there!
Hi Grace, Another wonderful post on Clematis. So beautiful. I like your advice on cutting them back, for they get so ragged in our garden unless we do. Don't forget if you don't have C recta, I have some to share.
Wow! You know so much about clematis!! I've never tried growing it. Vining plants aren't really my thing, but I do love the long blooms on so many vines. You're much more hardcore than I. I don't think I could do it. Beautiful pictures and interesting info!
Way to go, Grace!! Your clematis are beautiful! I'm beginning to think I need MORE of these plants! A pink jumpsuit? Definitely a possibility for you!! ;-) Happy Thanksgiving! (I had to take a couple of minutes to sneak onto my computer tonight!) ha.
I love seeing all these varieties! I've added 2 more to my list. I need to have a C. texensis! I was thinking of growing a Clematis on a lilac hoping it would give it some interest in the summer, that is one of the plans for next year.
I usually just cut everything down too, I only have one or two that bloom on old wood.
Grace your Clematis collection is out of this world! Out of a pink world-- ;-)
I love the hot pinks. Yours is a garden in which I would love to wander about.
Clematis was one of my earliest garden acquisitions, one of the first plants I ever knew I wanted. I think my first one looked similar to the C. 'Earnest Markham' but now that I see it, I realize it's been gone from my garden for a while now. Now I'm fascinated by the downward hanging flowers, the bell shaped varieties, maybe that's where I'll turn to replace the one that's gone missing.
Wonderful collection Grace! Happy and healthy plants! Love your pruning method. Have you ever had such thing as clematis wilt?
Grace girl
I am filled with GUILT about one of my clematis .. Gravetye Beauty .. I had to dig her up to make room for the new playhouse, aka shed .. put her in a pot .. could not for the life of me figure out a spot for her here .. promised her to Martha from Water Roots .. then let it all just slide down hill and did not get the mission done (my fault) so now "she" is trapped in a pot and I have no idea if she will over winter in it .. my first important "forced" experiment with a clematis stuck in a pot for our cold Canadian winter .. I'll be taking bets shortly ??
I love your babies .. I have Henrii too, paired with Niobe for the red and white affect .. Canadian flag theme ? LOL
Joy : )
One of the most beautiful clematis I've ever grown was "Belle of Woking". It eventually got lost among a tangle of roses and bit the dust. I want to find another one.
Now I have to add 'Confetti' to my list too. A great gardener told me I should try growing a vining Clematis as a groundcover. Hers looked great. I can vouch for 'Betty Corning.' It's a fantastic one, nearly the longest bloomer in my garden. (That one is 'Crystal Fountain' this year.) Do you have problems with earwigs? If my garden isn't in drought, all my Clematises' flowers look like shredded tissue.
I have been waiting with baited breath for more of your Clematis photos! They are so pretty. Howsabout Sweet Autumn Clematis? Have you grown that one? It's the last to bloom in my garden and because it's white, I'm not as crazy about it as I am the pinks. It's a big monster of a vine, though, and is wonderful on an arbor.
I always have problems with clemantis wilt. I know that Tatyana had that problem too and then tried a resistant variety that I know she had success with. I'm going to try that next year as well as preventative fungicide and hope for the best. The pics in your collage are gorgeous! -Jackie
I have had ZERO luck in starting clematis from seed...guess what, trying again at the end of winter though..maybe hardheaded...these are beautiful Grace. So, glad you won't be wearing a jumpsuit, fitted (pink) or otherwise!!
I have decided I need have at least one of these...there must be place where it will thrive and survive a winter in my zone 4 mountain garden.
Your collage is lovely!
Thanks for commenting on my blog today,Grace!
Rosey
All of your clematis are just beautiful! I have several but of course I didn't save the tags so I am constantly guessing as to which ones I have. I also never know wether to cut back or leave till next spring. They always seem to survive though so I must be doing something right. They are so forgiving. I just love them.
you are so funny Grace! got some bad seed...ha ha ha!
I like your "going rogue" advice. I may try that. Then again, "going rogue" hasn't been the most (ahem) effective motto for everyone! In the garden, I'm sure it will be great though! :)
Clematis is to drool for. I've had no luck with it in this garden, but recall the wonderful clematis my mother had. She had the perfect spot. Yours are spectacular!!! Can't wait to see the vine and how you grow them in relation to your garden.
The sound of sobbing is coming from here. We cannot grow clematis, at least not the large flowers. Small flowers, yes, and I do have 'Sweet Autumn'. It isn't enough, however. I want more!
'Bad seeds'? Probably. Sterile seeds, very likely.
See? It's not your fault.
Grace your Duchess of Albany is so pretty. I have one but it hasn't bloomed yet. I think I need to move it to a better location. It is on my list of things to do next spring.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi Grace, I have an award for you on my blog, I hope you will accept it.But will understand if you don't do awards and things. M x
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