Thursday, June 07, 2012

Growing Up

Clematis are as great for a small garden as they are for an estate, take up a small amount of planting space and reward with beautiful blooms all reaching skyward.

Comtesse De Bouchard (Type III) rated as excellent by the clematis experts.

Miss Bateman (TypeII)
I thought Miss Bateman was gone, growing on the same trellis as Henryi, but it is back maybe not as prolific as I remember but it is still here!

I am really learning to appreciate all types of clematis because they each have their own attributes and rewards.

Rouge Cardinal is a wonderful Type III but I have too many of them and I need to branch out and replace them with some other more unusual varieties.

I love the super blooms of the Type II's and the ease of care of the Type III's.  I don't own a Type I but the care is similar to Type II.

Konigskind Clematis (Type II)
I think I had identified this previously as General Sikorski.  Konigskind is a shorter clematis and works well on a small trellis.

I have found that if you cut down a Type II after blooming in the spring it will produce lush new growth and bloom a little later the next spring with gorgeous new blooms and no dead bottom wood.

Fireworks and Bee's Jubilee

Fireworks On Other Side
Fireworks weaves through and covers both sides of the grid, some tying necessary to train in early spring.

I have also found that if I cut down my Type III's in the fall it does not affect the bloom the following year.  I have done this three years in a row on my front clematis because I do not like the way the dried vines look all winter.  I cut them down in late October or November so there is little chance of new growth.

Hagley Hybrid (Type III)

Hagley Hybrid is great for part shade as it keeps its color better than in full sun.

I also cut down my Autumn Clematis after it has bloomed because when dried the following spring it is full of pollen that flies everywhere.  Since I have two separate clematis growing on the pergola it is important to have it clean for the Type II that will bloom in the spring.

Some clematis can be treated as more than one type, like Ernest Markham.  It has produced many more blooms when I treated it as a Type II rather than the Type III it was marked.

Ernest Markham (Type II or III)

I am going to experiment with some new clematis for next year and give some of my duplicates to my daughter.

Clematis need to be fed, some are heavier feeders than others.  I work in a 5-3-3 granular organic in the early spring and this has made a huge difference in regard to blooms.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Clematis is one of my very favorite climbers! Yours are happy, happy, happy. I get confused with the types so I just nip here and there...my Miss Bateman is solid white, hmm

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Darla,

My Miss Bateman is in part shade and the lines fade as the bloom ages. It actually starts out as a very pale violet and then turns white. Henryi is on the same trellis and it is pure white anthers also.

Eileen

Jenny said...

Yours are gorgeous. But even mine in Holland are doing well in this cold and wet climate. They are not in full sun but partial shade on a wall covered with a tree's canopy. xo Jenny

Lona said...

I always look forward to seeing your clematis vines in bloom. You just have so many lovely ones.

Jason said...

I'm extremely jealous of your beautiful collection of clematis vines. I only have one, a Jackman. It's common, but still wonderful.
Thanks for sharing!

BernieH said...

You have such a gorgeous collection. They all look so lovely. Unfortunately Clematis in not a plant we can grow here.

Beth said...

Hi Eileen, You have many lovely clematis and I enjoyed seeing them. You are a very knowledgable gardener. I appreciate how you teach when you blog.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jenny,

Some clematis actually do better in partial shade, like the pale pinks.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Jason,

Jacckmani is a great clematis. I do not have this one at my present home because it is so large.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie,

I guess it gets too warm for clematis in Austrailia, but you have such beautiful tropical plants.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Beth,

It's hard to get out of the teaching mode with anything I do. However, I had a lot of good gardening teachers through the years.

Eileen

Becca's Dirt said...

You have some gorgeous clematis. I know nothing about growing clematis. I purchased a root from Walmart but it didn't do anything. I will get me a couple and hope they can look as pretty as yours. I'll have to get some tips from you when I get them.

Millie said...

What a stunning variety of clematis!

Cher' Shots said...

My Grandmother grew clematis ~ this brings back fond memories. Beautiful.
'hugs from afar'

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Becca,

They are fairly easy to grow, just plant deeper than the pot you get them in.

Eileen

BernieH said...

Eileen, there are lots of places in the southern states where the Clematis can grow beautifully, but it's definitely way too hot up here.

By the by, I should mention that I've nominated you for the 'Versatile Blogger' Award. I think you fit the bill perfectly.

Larry said...

Your clematis are wonderful Eileen... and so many! I hadn't realized that they can be heavy feeders and have never fed mine... need to get in that routine although they do bloom well for me. Larry

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Bernie,

Thsnks so much for the nomination. I appreciate the compliment!

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Larry,

Your soil is probably very good. A former English blogger told me my clematis would benefit from being fertilized and that some were heavier feeders than others.

Feeding them individually with a scoop of Espoma 5-3-3 in the spring seeems to have really made a difference in the quantity of blooms.

Eileen

Reading Tea Leaves said...

I'm very envious of your many lovely clematis blooms, and your roses! Some good info here - thanks Eileen.

Jeanne
x

Jennifer said...

I must treat my clematis to some fertilizer because yours are looking just spectacular Eileen!