Hi.
I've not grown B Harrington,but very nice choice. I've ordered from Deb, at Silver Star Vinery, she has awesome plants. I've ordered from Brushwood, and this year Koi Gardens. I've been very pleased with Silver Star and Brushwood.
I have ordered from Garden Crossing and only to find that they shipped so late in the season that my little clems in pots did not survive, well maybe two survived but needed lots of attending to.
There are many posts that talk about how to handle new plants and hopefully some of the pros will step in and give their advice.
But what I have learned from them is if they are small, plant them into a gal. pot, give them the summer and let them root better. I had a hard time pincing back my plants and never have, becuase I always thought if I can just see one bloom. but now I am paying the price. Usually, I have found that a clem in the ground first year is pretty boring, as well as the second, maybe two blooms, maybe three, third year WOW look out... and that was when I planted them directly in the ground. So I am hoping by taking some well given advice, if I get some babies pot them up and let them root, then I will have some stronger plants for the following year.
I also have found that while I grow giant pumpkins (last year 600 lbs) that the foliar spray I use, worked wonders on my clems. It is 0-40-0 and I now spray it on the ground to my new babies on the spring, and on the foliage of all on a cooler day in the summer, water down and watch out.
Here in Mi. the growing season is so short type 2's used to be one bloom for me, but now sometimes I can squeek two by using the spray.
But that is just my two cents..

Laura

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

Yes, pot them up for a while. Love your name, by the way.

I've ordered from Chalk Hill several times. Their clems are usually rooted very well and able to be planted directly in the ground.
I ordered from Brushwood this year and was very pleased with the size/quality of their plants and planted them directly in the ground and they are already growing leaps and bounds.

I have been very happy with clems from Garden Crossings. I think they are just as nice as those from Brushwood. Silver Star Vinery sells the biggest clems - more expensive, but worth it if you want a good head start. I have been disappointed with Chalk Hill, but would still order from them to get a special variety. I've also gotten some small ones from ebay sellers (can't recall who all), and they all did fine, but take some time to get going. Don't overlook big box stores (for live, potted plants - NOT bagged and dried up, puny bare roots). I think they are a really good bargain - only problem is not much selection.

I don't ever keep mine in pots longer than I have to - they dry out too fast in our mid-continental zone 6 heat - and I have never had any problem sticking little baby clems in the ground.

Good luck!
- robinia

Thanks for all your help.

I did not know about 'Silver Star Vinery.' I took a look at their web site. I was quite impressed by their offering.

I have looked in a few local nurseries and big box stores but they either do not carry clematis or their selection is rather small. Since I have my mind set on 'Barbara Harrington,' I have to order online.

Now that I think about it, I have another question: how wide does a clematis grow? Everything that I read so far gives the length of a vine but nowhere did I find information about the width of a mature plant.

If you're growing them side by side, probably should leave 3 to 4 feet in between so that they are not too crowded once mature. Others do plant with as little as 2feet.

Joan

I am greedy for space and clems. I usually plant mine 12 inches apart and so far have not had a problem. This way whenI build a trellis, I can think of at least two sometimes three plants to put per trellis. I know seems like a lot but my sun space is limited. If I grow them with roses which I don't have many then I usually go 18 inches away from the rose an dpoint my clem toward the rose. Again just my two cents.
I am wondering where everyone is, maybe busy in the garden..

Laura

Thank you.

I think that now I am ready to order my first clematis. I have a corner in my small backyard that is in the sun most of the time. I am thinking of planting two clematis separated by 2 to 3 feet: one on each side of the fence forming the corner of my backyard. The dwarf Meyer lemon growing in front of the corner will shade their roots. I think that I might order more mature plants from 'Silver Star Vinery' rather than the other nurseries that I mentioned in my original post.

Have a great day.

I would suggest you check peoples guarantees on their clematis before ordering..I have clematis planted behind my "New & Improved Lemon Meyers Tree" that does really well...

Hello,

I have placed my order with 'Silver Star Vinery.' I should be receiving my clematis this Wednesday. As I am getting ready to plant them, I realized that I have one more question: how far from the fence should I plant them?

Thank you.