Jan, I would be interested in hearing how you are going to make a tree out of rebar. The idea sounds enchanting and I would love to hear your plans for the structure as I have quite a few coming this spring that need new homes. A single tree that would allow the planting of up to 6 clematis on it would be most appealing.

As for combinations, what clematis do you already have and which ones don't you have so we can help with the color coordination? Personally, I can't imagine any clematis combination that wouldn't work, but then again I love color and plan like Mother Nature who doesn't discriminate against any and all color combinations.

I hope I can explain my rebar 'vision'!
I plan to use 6, 10-12' pieces of rebar. One in the middle will stand up straight. The 5 surrounding will be bent at different heights (maybe 7' or 9' up) and different angles (approx. 30-45 degrees). I think they might need to be 2' apart. There could be a lot of flexibility in this design.
I saw this in a garden years ago and I thought it looked wonderful. It had some movement when the wind blew.
I hope I can make mine look as good!
As for the clematis I already grow, I have 20, maybe 25. The vigorous, fool-proof ones. I don't mind repeating them because they are the ones that appeal to me.

Jan

First I'd be certain that very strong winds cannot knock your support over. I've seen this happen too often.

Secondly, I prefer the combination of purple/blue and pale blues. I could imagine a combination of 3 clematis types, using 2 of each. An example would be
2 Etoile Violette
2 Huldine
2 Blekitny Aniol or Emilia Plater

If you like a stronger impact, you could try
2 Etoile Violette
2 Minuet or Cicciolina or Abundance
2 Huldine or Alba Luxurians

I have a combination of Polish Spirit and Prince Charles that works very nicely.

Although I love Romantika, I would not suggest using this one in your combination because it needs more air circulation in order to avoid mildew attacks.

All in all, I agree with Miguel above. Nature does a splendid job and all the obsessing over combinations is not worth it.

Oh my, thank goodness for this forum. It will save me hours of analyzing how to group the clematis I have coming this spring, although I have spent that many hours already trying to figure out who will pair with who, even as far as reading magazines on analogous colors, dynamic duos, opposites attract. I like the purple and blue combination and will use that one but the rest, I think I will just pick them at random but pairing 2 with 2s and 3 with 3s and see what comes out. As you said it all, let mother nature takes over. Thank you all, you clemmy experts. All advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Janice, thanks for the mental picture of your design. I can't imagine bending all the rebar to the precise angles and then figuring out how to make them all stand up and not blow over. Please post a picture when you have it constructed!

I remember a couple of years back that Smith and Hawken had a similar sounding item that looked almost like a hawstack of metal poles that were attached to round circles of metal. Haven't seen them lately in their catalog but will have to go out and see if they are still available.

I like Marie's combos above also, but since I have a multitude of ones coming this spring, I would likely just put them all together (the same pruning groups of course) nilly willy and see how that comes out. I just haven't been that much of a planner when it comes to combining clematis since I like all colors. You should see the inside of my house. If I were to sell it, I would definitely have to paint it one of those boring neutral colors due to the variety of colors I currently have in it. LOL

Oh Marie, only if Cicciolina was available here in the States. Oh yeah, it wouldn't matter since I am done ordering clematis for spring! Right! ;)

Yeah, I'd like to find that one or Walenburg. But I consided myself lucky to have located Sodertalje which is now available at Chalk Hill. I have it, Entel and Black Prince on hold. My Mom is going to get them for me for a Christmas present!

Katie

Just today I recieved Chalk Hills new plant list. What really caught my eye is they now have a demonstration garden showing how to use clematis in a perennial border. They are only 20 miles from me and I am putting on my calendar to visit them in May when the garden should be at its best and the weather not too hot. Al

That is great Katie--nothing like a late Christmas present especially when it is one or more clematis! I also have Black Prince coming this spring from Chalk Hill.