Clematis in My Garden

           By the time when the first clematis was planted in my garden there already were many other plants. Before I did not buy clematis, because I thought it's very difficult to grow it. The first one was 'Jackmani' specie and it was brought by a neighbor as sometimes happens. Then I decided to carefully examine how to grow clematis, and eventually have got my own experience.

 I learned that:

1. In wild clematis can be found on all continents, in forests, steppes, along rivers and gorges. 
2. Clematis it is better to be planted to a permanent place.
3. Usually clematis have thin shoots of the current year. All new shoots develop from dormant buds in the spring. Clematis leaves consist of three, five or seven leaflets, the usual green leaves meet the purple color in fall.

4. Clematis flowers are white, yellow, pale pink and pale blue, and velvet shades of red and blue

5. When the light is not enough, you will not achieve good flowering. The best place is a solar or slightly shaded at noon spot.

6. The moist areas of high groundwater levels are not suitable for them, even if only temporarily stagnate water.  

Clematis 'Jackmanii' 

 Clematis 'President'

I love clematis blooming, it lasts a week or two, and double clematis bloom almost three weeks. When the first clematis beautifully flowered in its second year,  I have purchased more different varieties and decided to achieve clematis flowering  from spring to autumn. 

Clematis 'Justa'

The early blooming variety has flowers in two months after growth starting in spring  The big-flowered clematis are beautiful and graceful, but I also like small- flowered clematis ( 'Justa' above) as they are undemanding to growing conditions, give a lot of greenery. When I've enough learned about clematis I thought: 
 What specie of Clematis to choose? As I  have a relatively short summer and winter frosts, it is better to choose early blooming variety of the 'Jackmani', 'Viticella' and 'Integrifolia' groups.

Where to plant clematis? I have decided to planted them on the east and west sides of the garden. 

 Clematis 'Miss Bateman'

Clematis 'Rouge cardinal'

 
For normal growth and abundant flowering clematises need any trellis, arch or arbor. I think this support has not to be only practical and easy to plant, but also to be beautiful. Now I use wooden pergolas and plastic grid with large cells attached to them.

What is your experience in clematis growing? What varieties do you prefer?
Thank you!

 

P.S. I go for short holidays and will immediately read your blogs when I get back. Bye for now!