Saturday, April 5, 2014

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!

41 comments:

  1. Dear Nadezda, Clematis are my favourite. I love the beautiful colours and variety of sizes. They grow well in a sunny spot in my garden on a support. The roots are partly shaded. The beautiful 'Dr Ruppel' and smaller flowered 'Montana Rubens' are visible from my kitchen window. They mix well together. The best flowering is in mid Spring with large flowers. A few smaller flowers appear in the Autumn.
    Your photographs are lovely. I think the 'Rouge Cardinal' is a beautiful rich colour.
    Thank you .
    Betty

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    1. I've been seeing these varieties 'Dr Ruppel' and especially 'Montana Rubens' but I'm not sure they hardy clematis.I'd love to plant them in my garden.
      Thank you Betty!

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  2. I love clematis and enjoy the many types. This season I hope to plant "Sweet Autumn" clematis, because I need it to bloom in early fall. Happy and safe travels, Nadezda!

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    1. Clematis "Sweet Autumn" seems snow on the bushes, lots of white flowers, wonderful choice Astrid!
      Thank you!

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  3. Beautiful! I have Jackmani and President, I think... I've been afraid of growing clematis, because I've thought they're difficult to grow. Thank you for all this information. I'll have some new clematis and hope to cope with them.. Happy weekend, Nadezda!

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    1. I learned Satu they aren't as difficult as we thought. Hope your new clematis will bloom nicely!

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  4. You have quite a collection of stunning clematis. Like you, I was afraid to grow them, thinking they were too difficult and fussy. But now I have Jackmanii and a white Henryi and a pretty viticella too. Yours are beautiful.

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    1. I have no big collection, Laurrie. I'd like to have viticella as well, will find in garden center.
      Thank you!

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  5. I agree that clematis aren't as difficult to grow as they seem--I planted one the first year I started my garden and knew next to nothing about growing them, but mine has flourished in spite of my initial ignorance. I only have one, though--I keep looking for another place to plant one. Such beautiful blossoms!

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    1. Yes, I agree Rose. Last one Jacmani was damaged when the support has been set but survived and flourished well.
      Thank you!

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  6. Welcome Nadezda!
    Clematis is my favorite. I love this creeper.
    If the weather is already soon will bloom the first climatisé.
    Greetings.

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    1. Thank you Lucia, clematis are wonderful lianas and nicely decorate the gazebo.

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  7. Como quieres que elija uno si me gustan todos...Que preciosos están y que fotos más bonitas!!
    Buen fin de semana;)
    Un beso.

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    1. Es bastante dificil de elijir, lo se Laura! Gracias, buena semana que viene!

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  8. Dear Nadedza,i like your Clematis!What a lovely collection you have!!And so preety colours and shapes!!
    Wonderful pictures!!Wish you a happy weekend!
    Dimi...

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  9. Nadezda, you have so gorgeous collection of clematis. I love all your clematis.
    Really beautiful colors !
    Have a happy weekend :)

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  10. What a beautiful collection of clematis you have Nadezda! I especially like your dark pink ones, like Rouge Cardinal. I'm glad you've had success growing them - I'm new at them and really hope they'll do well in my garden.

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    1. Clematis Rouge Cardinal blooms two years and isn't tall as in description yet. But its flowers are nice and velvet.
      Thank you Rebecca!

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  11. What beautiful colours in these clematis flowers. Here, we have a native clematis which is pure white. You have reminded me that I must plant one, ready for next spring. Thank you; I always love to see the clematis flowering.

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    1. One more clematis isn't bad for garden, Juliet. I'm sure your new one will flourish nicely!

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  12. You have some beautiful flowers on your clematis.

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  13. You have some pretty clematis planted Nadezda. I love them to and have eight in the garden and I am hoping they made it through this terrible winter. Have a lovely week.

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    1. I hope your clematis are healthy, Lona. I didn't open a covering till now and hope mine are well too. Thank you!

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  14. Yours are gorgeous! I have just started to love this plant. I have tried several, but since our heat is so great here, many plants do better in a little shade. However, I have finally found that the clematis likes sun - even harsh Texas sun! I plan to add to my clematis collection now. I hadn't thought until I read your post that I could have clematis blooming at different times. So much to learn!

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    1. There are some varieties Lona that can grow in hot climate but I think their roots need to be cover with any annual plants, moss or mulch to make a shadow. Thank you!

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  15. I've seen clematis during my travels and in garden centres overseas. They are so lovely. I just wish that I can plant them here.

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    1. I think you will be able to find some clematis for your garden, Elsie!

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  16. Thanks for all the lovely photos Nadezda, I can’t imagine a garden without clematis! I have 4 myself, Clematis armandii 'Apple Blossom', C. 'Mon Amour', C. 'Niobe', and C. texensis 'Gravetye Beauty'. My Niobe looks exactly like your 'Jackmanii' does in your photo, perhaps it is camera/monitor that makes the colour difference, but I have always thought that 'Jackmanii' was a blue clematis. You can see my Niobe in flower here from last November: http://graphicality-uk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/november-splendour.html quite far down on the page.

    I have one more clematis on my wish list, but I am not sure I will be buying it this year, it can cope with a lot of shade and is called 'Pink Fantasy'. As for where to let the clematis grow, I struggle with that as mine grow so tall and 3 of them are freestanding – they are growing much taller than the obelisks I initially bought for them. They often end up growing up in my tall camellia instead. I have to get new, taller obelisks but they are very expensive so, next year maybe!

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    1. Helene, I've read that Jackmani is a name of clematis group not of the variety. So your 'Niobe' is a cultivar of group Jackmani (http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/1946.shtml) There are some blue cultivars in this group as well.
      All your clematis are wonderful, I remember they on your photos. Thank you!

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  17. You have collected quite a variety of clematis. I seem to add one or two plants every year. Usually I get them in late summer clearance sales and they are always a bit worse for wear. I bring them back to health and eventually they prosper. Have a wonderful holiday Nadezda!

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    1. I am afraid to plant clematis in autumn because of cold weather. I think they have no time to take root before snow and usually plant them in spring, but they are quite expensive in spring, you're right Jennifer!

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  18. Hi Nadezda! How beautiful the Clematis in your garden are! Clematis won't grow nor bloom here, tried it several times, and from the list with things you learned about Clematis I now learn they will never work for our garden, the conditions are far too contradictory in our garden for growing them. I won't try it again.
    Marian

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    1. Would you grow them in a container, Marian? Before winter you would cover a container against the rain.
      Have a nice weekend!

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  19. What a wonderful variety of clematis is in your garden. The colors are gorgeous – I especially like the deep purple and the dark red one called Rouge Cardinal. I do not have any in my garden, which is not a garden but a backyard. Can you cut them in place them in vases?

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    1. I cut the flowers of 'Miss Bateman' because it has long stems and the flowers live long time in a vase.
      Thank you, Vagabonde!

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  20. I also have a lot of clematis in my garden. I look forward to seeing them bloom ever year. I really like your Rouge Cardinal, too. Your clematis are beauties! It's wonderful to have such tough plants that can survive your harsh winters. :o)

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    1. I remember your clematis and a trellis you made for them, Tammy! Rouge Cardinal is very hardy in our climate. Thank you!

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  21. Your Clematis are stunning, Nadezda! I love them all. I am so glad you can grow them in your climate. I've got several varieties and wish I had room for more. :)

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    1. I have room for new clematis, but not all varieties are enough hardy for our winter.
      Thank you Grace!

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