Fairygirl is correct, best to think of all the points that you are looking for in a clematis before purchasing. Flowering period, colour, aspect, height. For example a large flowered Summer flowering Red, about 8 ft high for a North facing wall, to be grown in a large container. So much easier than buying a plant on impulse then being unable to find a position for it in the garden, we have all done it.
There are thousands of different clematis cultivars and species available at present from 20 or 30 cms high up to 15 metres. Vast choice. I am a huge fan of the small flowered clematis, many are ideal for growing in pots. Some of the earlier flowering alpinas, macropetalas, koreanas ( atragene group ) can be grown together with a later flowering variety to make a good display over a long period, care has to be taken to label each plant as they have different pruning regimes, but it works OK.
I have a clematis montana, which I think is 'Elizabeth'. It's been in a clay soil on the north side of our garage for about 5 years, and it covers our garage. I mean three walls and the roof of our garage are not visible - calling it vigorous is understating it. OTOH, when it's in flower there's a huge pink mass of flowers, absolutely gorgeous. We don't prune it anymore, 'cos we can't reach!
Ah Richard re. the impulse buying, you've got me sussed! Really will have to try and do less of that! I do label all my plants, but have an overenthusiastic puppy who loves to steal them!
Fairygirl have googled Fragrant Oberon, looks beautiful. Will look out for one.
Seacrows, yes have seen them in neighbouring gardens in full flower, they do make quite a spectacle! Have got a dreary fence that could do with being obscured so will try and find a space to plant it there.
Sandra - if you use some substantial wires spaced along the fence and tie in growth in both directions as it appears, you'll create the right effect with the montana. There's a house across from me which has a white one covering her garage or shed, and probably fence too, which is stunning in spring. They are great for that sort of use, although as seacrows says, it can be tricky to do any trimming and tidying!
You'll probably have to get that one I mentioned online as you're unlikely to see it in GCs. It's worth looking at the specialists as you can do what Richard says - putting in the requirements and getting the best suggestions. Hawthornes is Richard's nursery , and many of us also use Taylor's or Thorncroft.
Unfortunately - you'll find that you're suddenly remortgaging the house and selling everything you own because you'll quickly have a very long wish list...
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
Neither of the fences are mine though Fairygirl, so I'm unsure of the best way to train my Montana.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean about 'selling everything you own'!! That's why I always impulse buy when I see a cheap plant cos I'm on a very tight budget (maybe costing me longer in the long term though??)
Have looked at online prices and they scare me a bit!!
Best not to attach things to your neighbours' fences in case you get stung for repairs or they decide to replace or mend without any due care to your plants.
Try and erect your own posts inside and stretch tensioned wires between those to support a clematis. It will be a worthwhile investment tho you'll maybe have to rein in the impulse buying to afford it.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Impulse buying? Me? Never - that's why my titchy garden is bursting at the seams!
Sandra someone recently told me about this site http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemalphasearch.cfm where you can search for the best clematis for your condition (can't remember who it was, apologies if you're reading this and are that person - and thank you, too - it's a really useful site).
I'm with Richard on the small flowing types though - they are my favourites, not a fan of the big, showy flowered types.
Me probably. I use it all the time for checking clems as it's a huge database an, being non commercial, is unbiased.
I'm tending more and more to the smaller flowered one and perfumed too. Not keen on the "dinner plate" sized flowers as they always get shredded by wind and rain. They also tend to be group 2s and their top growth never survived a winter in the old garden.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
It's true that the dinner plate flowers shred easily and look tatty very fast.
My favorite small flowered type at the moment is my viticella Alba Luxurians - very tough, flowers profusely for weeks on end, never gets sick, and can cut it hard back to almost ground level every year so it's never tatty.
I had that one in my Belgian garden, out in the borders. it took a while to get going but was then stunning. I bought its sister - Caerulean Luxurians - at the same time and planted that in a small raised bed on the north wall of the house and it grew much faster and further - less competition I suppose. I'd have a hard time choosing between the two if I come across them again.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Posts
Fairygirl is correct, best to think of all the points that you are looking for in a clematis before purchasing. Flowering period, colour, aspect, height. For example a large flowered Summer flowering Red, about 8 ft high for a North facing wall, to be grown in a large container. So much easier than buying a plant on impulse then being unable to find a position for it in the garden, we have all done it.
There are thousands of different clematis cultivars and species available at present from 20 or 30 cms high up to 15 metres. Vast choice. I am a huge fan of the small flowered clematis, many are ideal for growing in pots. Some of the earlier flowering alpinas, macropetalas, koreanas ( atragene group ) can be grown together with a later flowering variety to make a good display over a long period, care has to be taken to label each plant as they have different pruning regimes, but it works OK.
I have a clematis montana, which I think is 'Elizabeth'. It's been in a clay soil on the north side of our garage for about 5 years, and it covers our garage. I mean three walls and the roof of our garage are not visible - calling it vigorous is understating it. OTOH, when it's in flower there's a huge pink mass of flowers, absolutely gorgeous. We don't prune it anymore, 'cos we can't reach!
Ah Richard re. the impulse buying, you've got me sussed! Really will have to try and do less of that! I do label all my plants, but have an overenthusiastic puppy who loves to steal them!
Fairygirl have googled Fragrant Oberon, looks beautiful. Will look out for one.
Seacrows, yes have seen them in neighbouring gardens in full flower, they do make quite a spectacle! Have got a dreary fence that could do with being obscured so will try and find a space to plant it there.
Thanks all for your tips.
Sandra - if you use some substantial wires spaced along the fence and tie in growth in both directions as it appears, you'll create the right effect with the montana. There's a house across from me which has a white one covering her garage or shed, and probably fence too, which is stunning in spring. They are great for that sort of use, although as seacrows says, it can be tricky to do any trimming and tidying!
You'll probably have to get that one I mentioned online as you're unlikely to see it in GCs. It's worth looking at the specialists as you can do what Richard says - putting in the requirements and getting the best suggestions. Hawthornes is Richard's nursery , and many of us also use Taylor's or Thorncroft.
Unfortunately - you'll find that you're suddenly remortgaging the house and selling everything you own because you'll quickly have a very long wish list...
Neither of the fences are mine though Fairygirl, so I'm unsure of the best way to train my Montana.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean about 'selling everything you own'!! That's why I always impulse buy when I see a cheap plant cos I'm on a very tight budget (maybe costing me longer in the long term though??)
Have looked at online prices and they scare me a bit!!
Best not to attach things to your neighbours' fences in case you get stung for repairs or they decide to replace or mend without any due care to your plants.
Try and erect your own posts inside and stretch tensioned wires between those to support a clematis. It will be a worthwhile investment tho you'll maybe have to rein in the impulse buying to afford it.
Impulse buying? Me? Never
- that's why my titchy garden is bursting at the seams!
Sandra someone recently told me about this site http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemalphasearch.cfm where you can search for the best clematis for your condition (can't remember who it was, apologies if you're reading this and are that person - and thank you, too - it's a really useful site).
I'm with Richard on the small flowing types though - they are my favourites, not a fan of the big, showy flowered types.
Last edited: 29 March 2017 11:07:31
Me probably. I use it all the time for checking clems as it's a huge database an, being non commercial, is unbiased.
I'm tending more and more to the smaller flowered one and perfumed too. Not keen on the "dinner plate" sized flowers as they always get shredded by wind and rain. They also tend to be group 2s and their top growth never survived a winter in the old garden.
Thanks Obelixx
It's true that the dinner plate flowers
shred easily and look tatty very fast.
My favorite small flowered type at the moment is my viticella Alba Luxurians - very tough, flowers profusely for weeks on end, never gets sick, and can cut it hard back to almost ground level every year so it's never tatty.
I had that one in my Belgian garden, out in the borders. it took a while to get going but was then stunning. I bought its sister - Caerulean Luxurians - at the same time and planted that in a small raised bed on the north wall of the house and it grew much faster and further - less competition I suppose. I'd have a hard time choosing between the two if I come across them again.