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Clematis varieties

ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,841
in Plants

Yesterday I explored another garden centre near my new home - well, 30 miles away but who's counting? - and found they have a wide range of plants and products compared to others I've seen and some clematis on sale.

I shall be preparing new beds and supports over the winter so I can plant some in spring, along with the ones I brought with me, but of the dozen on sale, 8 are new to me so can I ask if anyone grows them and are they good doers?

Comtesse de Bouchaud, Fascination, Henryi, I am Lady Q, My Angel, Princess Kate, Ramona, Tie Dye

Thanks in advance.

Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    The only one of those I grow is Comtesse De Bouchard which has lots of pink flowers from summer onwards.  It's group 3 so cut back completely to the lowest pair of buds on each stem in Feb.  It's a 'good doer' here in central UK and has RHS AGM.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,328

    I grow Comtesse de Bouchard in a big pot growing up an obelisk - she does well for me too (Surrey).  Haven't come across any of the others though.

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,043

    My Angel is the biggest thug Clematis we have ever come across. It spreads by roots running all over the place. It has even gone through the concrete raft of our Composting area and come up the other side, say 20 feet away from  where it began. AVOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,841

    Thanks for that Berghill.  With such a limited choice and only one place stocking them so far I need to be careful not to pick a duffer and also keep my eye out for plant fairs and such so I can get another perfumed Betty Corning and some other favourites from my old garden.    Couldn't bring them all with me..........

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • seakaleseakale Posts: 142

    i was advised to grow the viticella clematis as a beginner.

    so far I have Prince Charles, pale plus and growing thro a choisia,  full of blooms in second year,  Julie Correvan, up an arch and again smothered in crimson flowers all summer, Vagabond first year, dark purple blooms, repeating twice so colour now.  It's a good idea to water well in second year and feed regularly

    good luck

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,841

    Thanks Seakale.  I had about 40 clems in my old garden so know the possibilities quite well - favourite supplier stocked over 300 and advised me about hardiness for my exposed garden after I lost quite a few to -25C and worse in one winter..  

    The problem is the lack of choice on offer here which I find odd as the wild version are rampant in the hedgerows so I would assume that clems do well here.   Have to say I prefer Blue Angel/Blekitny Atholl to Prince Charles.  Simliar colour but it has lovely bars on the back of the petals. I dug that one up and brought it with me as it was planted in a bottomless chimney pot so easy to shift into a huge pot for transport.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790

    Comtesse de Bouchaud, very old cultivar, very good late pink, treat as Viticella (3), Fascination is a run of the mill Integrifolia, herbaceous, Henryi is a very good old large white, but difficult, I am Lady Q is a bicolour Viticella, blue/white, My Angel is a fantastic intricata but a bit of a thug. Princess Kate, as with Princess  Diana, very popular because of the name, Ramona a very good dark purple blue, good plant. Tie Dye excellent colouring purple with white splashes apparently named after some clothes washing process.

    Just my opinion but best of the bunch Comtesse de B, Ramona, Tie Dye.

  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790

    Seakale, Prince Charles and The Vagabond are not Viticella Group.  Super plants, though.

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,748

    When I bought Princess  Kate, I said to the nurseryman

    " I'm buying this despite the name, not because of it"

    he laughed

    " if she's as pretty as her mother in law I'll be happy"  ( not sure she is though)

    Devon.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 33,748

    Maybe it's just my plant,but Kate is bit of a muddy cream and pink ,when I was expecting a nice clear white / pink. 

    Diana for me on both counts.

    I'm not really a fan of the Royals, but Kate ( I'm sure she's a lovely , lovely person and I wish her no harm ) looks like her granny has been picking her clothes for her.

    Devon.
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