I Need Recommendations for Clematis
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SJCanada
Posted: Jul-20-2004 at 10:00pm
Hi;
We have just built a wonderful trellis in our front yard, that will be exposed to sun all day long with no shade.
We would like to plant clematis there, and need some help in picking 3 or 4 types to go there that won't completely frizzle up.
I would like large bright blue or purple flowers that wouldn't fade in direct sun.
We know to plant something in front to shade the roots, and have room to do that between the trellis and the path. What would be good for that, too? Everything will get maximum sun exposure.
Or, are there other vines that would be better there?
I don't know a lot about gardening! We live in sunny S. Delta, and get lots of sun!
This trellis is about 6 ft. from the street, and is at the front of our front garden. There is a Portuguese laurel hedge about 4 ft. high, between it and the public sidewalk.We plan to let the hedge get to no more than about 6-7 ft.
Which nurseries in the Vancouver area would anyone recommend for a large variety of clematis types? Any suggestions most gratefully received, and thank you.
sparklemama
Posted: Jul-20-2004 at 11:14pm
Hi there and welcome to rainyside! I am sure you will have no problems getting help here. gardening is a learn as you go process i have found. there are tons of clematis that you could plant there. all kinds of Thymes are good for planting in from of clemmies as are short shrubs, daylilies, ornamental grasses. some clemmies get bare legs(the bottom portion of stems lose thier leaves and turn brown) it really only affects the look and not the health, which is why people like to plant things in front of them. when you plant your clemmie make sure you plant it at least 4-6" deeper then pot level. this will help if your plant gets sick you can cut it down to a foot off the ground and it will send up shoots from below ground.
I have a clematis called 'Multi-Blue' which is a double dark bule with a paler spikey center. gets 6-8ft tall. I also have 'jackmanii' which is very common in home gardens. it has four-five petals of dark purple with yellowish stamens in the middle. There are so many clemmies of that color range and others that a guide is helpful. just walking around nurseries to or noticing other peoples yards are a great way to find some.
A good book to pick up would be the American Horticulture Society(AHS) book on Clematis. you can get it off amazon.com for very cheap. it has all sorts of clemmies, pictures, growing conditions, planting, pests,which plant is in what pruning group and good plants to plant with them. a wonderful book, very helpful.
i wish you goodluck. there are so many to choose from if your like me you will be dreaming about them. in my night mares i was being stragnled by a Sweet Autumn Clematis..lol. for weeks all i did was read about clemmies and look at pictures to find just one. i now have 12!
cjmiller
Posted: Jul-21-2004 at 2:24pm
Poor Sparklemama, I think she is addicted! And she is absolutly right, there are so many to become addicted to that it is almost a given. I also recommend the walk around the nursery visit, to see what is available and doing well in your neighborhood.. I think there are about 3 families, that bloom and grow differently. Evergreens, spring bloomers and mid summer bloomers... and twice a season bloomers, forgot that one. Become aware, and then let your addiction be your guide.
_ grammagt
DebbieTT
Posted: Jul-21-2004 at 4:16pm
If you are growing more than one variety and they are going to be overlapping each other (depends on how big your arbor is) you will want to select cultivars that all take the same type of pruning.
You wouldn't want to select a late winter pruning clemmie that you prune almost to the ground, and pair it with one you prune after it blooms. It would be hard to untangle the mess every year.
For a long season of interest perhaps you might want to pair some early blooming clematis that need little or no pruning with a later long-blooming climbing rose. Or if you like a climbing rose that only blooms in June then select summer blooming clemmies to go with it. The possibilities are endless.
Take a peek in the Plant Gallery for Vines that I have grown. All the clematis are growing in full sun. If you like purples I have a few in the gallery. You can mix some with late summer and fall blooming ones, extending the season there.
I have a Clematis montana that battles it out with a Passion vine and the clem blooms early. Later the Passiflora x alatocaerulea (Passion vine) flowers (right now it is just coming into bloom) and reminds me of when I lived in Hawaii. You could add Clematis 'The President' (not a bush though! )(Oops you're Canadian, just ignore that last phrase in the parenthesis.) that needs little pruning that will bloom once in spring and again in summer with beautiful purple flowers!
So many possibilities, so many clematis!
SJCanada
Posted: Jul-22-2004 at 9:43pm
Thanks everyone! I forgot about the diferent pruning times, so I will indeed look for ones that have the same schedule!!! Sweltering in our endless heatwave up here; feel free to do a rain-dance, anyone; we need it!
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton