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Clematis 'Polish Spirit'-not!

madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,497
in Plants
I have Clematis 'Polish Spirit' which flowers beautifully each year.
I have just been to tie it up a bit and there are some flowers but they seem too large and early for 'Polish Spirit'.
It may be a neighbours that has come through the fence to join the party but have never seen this one though!


“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings

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  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 11,153
    I think you might be right.  My 'Polish Spirit' is out but is a much darker purple than your photos. I was surprised though to see it bloom so early, but guess the plants are confused at our funny weather lately. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,114
    Pretty, whatever it is.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    edited May 2019
    If you didn't cut it right back, it will grow as a group 2 and you get early flowers which are indeed larger.  I do this to mine on purpose, cutting most of the stems back to about 30cm but always leave a few.  In fact, I should be able to take a photo right now - back in a bit..
    Edit:
    Current flowers:

    And below is the whole plant.  The new shoots from the stems I cut back hard in Feb have just reached the top of this 8ft high trellis but have no obvious buds yet.  By pruning the way I do, I have constant flowers from early May to about December.  This panel and probably also most of the one to the left will be absolutely covered when the later flowers appear:

    Polish Spirit is a really, really, "good doer"! :):smile:
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,497
    I think it must be from somewhere else as Polish Spirit is a much darker purple and smaller flowers.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,497
    BobTheGardener said:
    If you didn't cut it right back, it will grow as a group 2 and you get early flowers which are indeed larger.  I do this to mine on purpose, cutting most of the stems back to about 30cm but always leave a few.  In fact, I should be able to take a photo right now - back in a bit..
    Could be as I had to cut it back in December I think as it was just romping away!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    @madpenguin I've just edited my post and added the photos.  I'm in no doubt yours is indeed "Polish spirit".  I remember trying that 'drink' when I was a teenager - about 140 degrees proof as I (vaguely!) recall! :D>:)B)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,497
    Just looked at some photos from previous years and I think it actually is Polish Spirit.Not usually out till July!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • EustaceEustace Posts: 1,680
    Here is the clematis polish spirit flowering in my garden.
    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,497
    My Clematis 'Polish Spirit' is now fully out flowering at the right time with the right size flowers.The blooms are a very rich purple (not sure if that shows in the photos).
    Looking at the previous pics from May I still think that was a rogue from next door!!!

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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