I have gotten plants at Loews and other box stores and, if you know what your are buying, they are fine. They stock some plants unsuited to the local climatic zone and the help often knows very little. Buy the Clematis before they grow and tangle together on the sale bench.

Pot them up and grow them out in one gallon pots before planting them in the garden. That way you can tell whether they will make it and they will develop into stronger plants if they survive.

I'd stay away from the box stores if at all possible. Buy from a grower not a broker.

I agree Gianty, but you must know about impulse purchases. It's how the stores make their money. That being said, the quality of the products you purchase at the big box stores can vary greatly and sometimes you stumble across quite a few bargains. I know I certainly have. I have gotten clematis for as little as $2.44 at Walmart (Roseville clematis) and they have done quite well once potted up and grown out. I do tend to shy away from bareroot items in most of the big box stores however since you don't know how they have been treated, if they are even alive, or how long they have been in those boxes and plastic bags.

I saw some very nice ones and a good selection at my Lowes tonight. I was very surprised and they looked really healthy.

Kristy..I've bought several from Lowe's and they have done well..only, make sure you get one with a bloom for they can easily be mismarked...Jeanne

I found a rooguchi in a one gallon pot at Lowe's last year. Beautiful plant with multiple stems. I bought it and planted it at my Mom's and it is growing like a crazy thing already. Sometimes they do have nice plants. As long as you know what to look for, you can get very good plants at a reasonable price. I rarely find anything there that I don't already have, but if I do and it is healthy, I would buy it.

Carol

I agree Carol. Just like anything at the big box stores, you have to know what the plants are, how long they have been sitting there, and snatch up bargains when you see them. I have found many rare and unusual plants at Lowes that would have cost me much more at the larger run nurseries, either locally or mail order. Shoot I have even purchased some of my clematis at Walmart for as little as $2.88(marked down from $4.88-the Roseville clematis series)potted them up in one gallon pots, and they have done wonderfully well.

Just so you know, they had techno blue lobelia the other day. It's suppose to be very heat tolerant, looks good with other plants and the plants that had were beautiful. It was one of the new introductions recommended by (I believe) Fine Gardneing and they were a reasonable price. Sometimes you can find things that I have only been able to order from specialty nurseries, sometimes not so much!

Carol

Thanks for telling me that Lowe's got their clematis in...I had to make a mad dash after cashing my birthday check to see what and if they had any different varieties than their usual fare...and Low and Behold ..they did have Clematis "Carnaby"...one that I don't have and then poof.."The President" in a one gallon pot and a "Blue Light" in a one gallon pot jumped into my buggy!!..and a few that I already had but wanted to Squeeze into some bare spots along with other clematis I have growing..you see...Miquels maniacal method has rubbed off on me..LOL...Thanks Miquel
oh yea..and just as I said they had some mismarked and as usual I grabbed some well rooted ones that had a bloom on them to make sure...I called the garden employee over and showed her that many of the clematis didn't have enough soil..I could see the roots and the crown sitting on top..two of those I rescued!!..I am sure she was glad to see the back of me...tee hee..

Err, you're welcome Jeanne (I think!) LOL

I indulged in a Lowe's special too. They had a gallon Blue Light, but I didn't get it because it wasn't blooming and I didn't know what it looked like. I looked it up on HMF and wow--it's gorgeous. I picked up two gallon size clems that were marked as Villa de Lyon, but they aren't. They look more like Negritianka, deep blue violet with pointed petals and yellow stamen. I may have to go back for Blue Light now---thanks Jeanne! ;)

Denise

I have seen many, many plants at big box stores that are incorrectly labeled. All types of plants. Be careful if you really care what plant you are buying.

The two Negritiankas were blooming so I knew they would fit in. I bought this same clematis at Lowes a couple of years ago and it was labled Ville de Lyon then, too. You'd think they'd get it right by now.

I'm going back in a few days to see if Blue Light really is.

Denise

Jeanne do you really think that Lowe's employee gives a hoot? I'm sure she went about her business not giving you and your suggestion another thought. Lowes doesn't propagate they just broker.

Yea...I know what you mean..LOL...last year I was talking to two ladies at the clematis display on what to do with their clematis to make them flourish and the manager offered me a job..I said thanks but no way would I stand out in this bloody heat all day for any amount of money...Jeanne

I did not buy any this go round but last fall Lowe's had clematis marked down so I bought 3. Two of them said "Virgin's Bower" and the other was not marked. Well, one of the V.B. is blooming and I was expecting a white one but, surprise, it is a very light pink, almost white and not anything like the pictures. I googled V.B. and wikipedia said that Virgin Bower is another name for clematis. Hmmm...OK, is that right? I don't have this one, whatever her name is; she is lovely surprise.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:578888}}

Definitely not virgins bower which is a common name for clematis virginianna that typically blooms for me in NC in July. Looks like a type II hybrid.

Glad to help you with your addiction Jeanne, lol. I felt sorry for them out there baking in the sun with their little crowns exposed. I knew they would be on the clearance rack within a week or two at the most. I brough them home and repotted them and gave them some water and they are doing fine. I got the ones in from Koi gardens yesterday too and potted them up. They have roots so big I had to cut the pots off some, lol. I got a great round metal gazebo thing to plant them on but I need to repaint it and do a planting bed for them so I will just leave them potted for the time being. I will post a pic of it when its done or maybe at least when the bed is done for some suggestions.

Kristy!!..Your new Gazebo sounds awesome..can't wait to see pics..potting them up now so you can get it painted is wise...I planted mine (From Koi) directly into my gardens and they are growing like wild fire!! Has anyone checked out Walmart for Clematis?..LOL..I think I will make a trip today..I am having withdrawals and need to look for more...Jeanne

Our local Home Depot sells Evison's Clematis: BourbonÂ, Picardy and CezanneÂ. I've bought Bourbon and Picardy to replace the ones that did not overwinter for me. I think I will return PicardyÂ. I am not impressed with the color of flowers. Bourbon is fantastic.

Alina!!..Call me jealous..I've wanted "Picardy" & "Cezanne" and NEVER seen them offered here..boohoo..

Alina, you are going to return Picardy? Just because you don't like the color? Boy that takes alot of nerve! It's that kind of thing that ruins it for everyone eventually! You should have done your looking online before you bought. What's this world coming too?

Gianty,
The online pictures are BADLY doctored. I guess it is a part of advertising company for these new varieties. I have more than 50 varieties of Clematis now and veeeery limited space. So I do not need one more plain purple Clemmie. Also, it is not cheap: $19.99 for 2G pot. I will take picture before I will return it to the store :-)
Jeanne, Walmart and Home Depot were selling them here all last year season. I am not sure why they do not sell it in Texas :( My favorite Patio Clematis is 'Angelique'. Same color and vigor as Cezanne, but very cute wavy petals. And I LOVE Evison's doubles 'Arctic Queen' and 'Franziska Marie'.

Gianty...please tell me you were just kidding Alina?

Yep Alina, I've found that sometimes plants that are supposed to be of a particular cultivar don't always bloom true to type. That's why it's best to buy when in bloom. Good Day.

I've bought plants at Lowes for years. But ONLY buy if it is fresh shipment and they haven't had time to kill it, or abuse it to the point where it will die. Yesterday I bought a beautifully healthy Christopher Marlowe rose bush for only $20 and a Proteus clem for $6.

Last year I bought a tiny Proteus that was laying on her side dying. She had one tiny delicate pink bloom and hadn't been watered since she was shipped. I rescue abused dogs and this hit me in the same place. I picked her up, requested and got a discount and took her home. I knew far too little about clems and dug the best hole I could with lots to eat and protection from a tall bush. I fed her and talked to her all summer and bid her goodnight in the fall. I really hoped she would live but thought she might have been too abused and that her sleep would be permanent. Well this spring here she is climbing like crazy with several new vines! I told her how proud I am of her. :)

I got another tiny Proteus, this one looking very fresh and healthy for the back yard (I will pot this one until fall) and will stop back to see if they have anything else (I was in a hurry.) I think Lowes buys from decent places but has no clue about plant care and just writes off the dead ones as a loss without caring that they are killing living things. How sad for them and the plants that fall into their clutches.

Peace,
Jane and the Hole in the Wall Gang

Piksi, I love that clematis, I am particularly fond of the pinks and that one is lovely. I sure wish there had been a name attached to it.

Anyone have any ideas?

I know there are those that find plants from Lowes inferior but I've had nothing but good luck with the clematis that I've bought at Lowes. I went today looking to buy 1 clematis and ended up being blessed with 5-all marked down to $2.99. I bought a Nelly Moser, Asao, Miss Batemen, Proteus and H.F. Young.

Since I just moved an autumn clematis to make room for my husband's hop trellis, I thought I'd wander over to the clematis section here on the web, and got interested in this thread. I buy plenty of great plants at the box stores but I do always feel guilty about it, since my friendly, knowledgeable (expensive) nursery is just down the street, withering on the vine, so to speak.

Jane, I love your story. Hey, I am not the only crazy person who talks to her plants :-)
I rescued 5 or 6 Clematis that were eaten to skeleton by Japanese Beatles at Lowe's last year. They were all prepared to be thrown away... Manager gave me a nice discount (~90% off). A little TLC and ALL of them are very healthy plants now.

I bought a Niobe, Comtesse de Bouchaud, and Ramona from Lowe's last year, and all are still alive. The Niobe and Comtesse are thriving, sending up multiple vines each. The Ramona was in mostly shade all winter and is just now showing signs of life. I think I may have pruned it a little too harshly too, but looks like it is going to make a come back.

I've never seen any of those Evison "Patio" Clems for sale at less than $40 in a two gallon at specialty nurseries. Never at any of the big box stores.

I don't get why you folks bad mouth the local growers? Good hard working folks that are usually a locally based business that grow the products they sell, that can give good advise. It seems to me you folks aren't looking for a fair price but a dumpster diver steal. Do you all buy anything at full price? Let's have a little respect and quit comparing a throw away plant to a nice well rooted well taken care of product you will see at your local nursery!!