Lovely. I love cartmanii. Your Alpina Ruby looks like my Alpina Constance that is blooming now. It is only in its second year and is about 4 feet or so with lots of blooms. I can't wait until it grows to the top of the trellis so that you can see the blooms better.

Very pretty photo's. My type 1's are finally blooming now also. They really were slow this year. Our unseasonably cold spring in the PNW, really slowed them down. I trimmed back most of my type 2's last fall so I haven't had any of them bloom yet either. I have 4 or 5 that are full of buds so hopefully they will open up soon. I wish it would warm up. I can't remember a colder spring.

Gorgeous!!...I haven't tried to grow Alpina's as I am afraid it maybe too hot here for them...Jeanne

Not new to gardening, clematis or to garden web but I love anything with a hint of green..or simply screaming chartruse. Your avalance is gorgeous.Will have to search for that one.
Sheila

Nice pictures BorS. I really like the color of alpina Ruby, but my experience with macropetalas and alpinas has shown me that they are not long lived plants in the warmer zones.

Tnladyhillbilly, you will more than likely have to grow this plant in a pot and move it to a protected spot during the winter since it only blooms on old wood and its hardiness rating is generally only zones 7 to 9. You might get by with this plant in the ground if you live in a microclimate of zone 6 that gets some protection.

Avalanche is not a vigorous grower. The vine is spindly despite being cut back hard several times. It is several years old.

Ruby is the parent of Constance. I was actually after Constance as I had read it was superior to Ruby but when I was at the nursery I had forgotten which was which and the employee steered me wrong. Sadly, at this particular nursery, the employee should have been correct.

Georgeous as usual, BorS.

How come mine are so far behind yours? Is it a varietal thing, do you think?

Beautiful. I usually don't go for white, but that center sets it off perfectly. The alpina Ruby is just one of my favorite colors. How far do those open?

Violetta, it is because of the species. Alpinas and cartmaniis are much sooner to bloom than viticellas.

I didn't notice Ruby opening much more than that. Blue Bird opened much wider. I bought it at a local nursery already in bloom and haven't actually planted it yet. I wanted to enjoy the flowers before I whacked it off to six inches and planted it.

I really like the look of your Avalanche, love those green centers, and Ruby is a pretty thing too.

Carol