If you are referring to Mrs. T. Lundell, it is the one from your list that has the most red in it. I personally think however that any of the ones you have listed would be nice with a medium gray colored house.

Check out Asao. I think that would look nice against gray

Asao is a nice one but is a type II. All the others on the list are type III. Asao could be treated as a type II if so desired.

Mrs. T. Lundell

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I have all the others on your list including viticella the species but it was purchased this spring and is doing major root growth and very little top growth this year. Guess I will have to wait until next year for blooms on it.

Here is a combo shot of Polish Spirit, Etoile Violette, and Blue Belle for color comparison purposes. PS is at the top center (you can tell by the anther color), Etoile Violette on the right, and Blue Belle on the left.

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Don't have a readily available good shot of Viola other than the following one. The one sitting on top of Viola is Betty Corning another great clematis with fragrance.

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Nickvilledudes, all I can say is WOW! If I was confused before I am even more so now. Thank you thank you for taking the time to put these gorgeous photos together. The shot with the three together is great as I can immediately see the color differences. Blue Belle appears to be the only one that has no red in it. Dare I try to do a combination as you have, hmmm? The Viola with Betty Corning is awesome. I have room for 3 viticellas. Could I put Betty with Etoile? Does the Viola grow 10-12 feet and does it have some red in it? It is beautiful just as is why would I want to change it. How would you do it, two of which? Lots of questions but I am knocked over by these photos.
Asao is lovely but it is a group 2 and I need 3 from group 3 and it does not grow to the height that I need but thank you anyway.
Robin

Nckvilledudes, have you tryed growing Viticella? Their nodding and downward facing blooms might look good as this deck area is on a sloop and will be viewed only looking upward. I still can't get over those beautiful photos and thank you again.
Robin

Robin, I have viticella the species purchased this spring from Brushwood Nursery. I can't wait for it to flower but this year it must be establishing its root system as the plant is just sitting there looking at me. Next year it should do some flowering.

As for combinations, I tend to cram things together and haven't seen any issues doing so. Those planted closely together will need more moisture and fertilizer but as long as the plants have room to spread their roots out in at least two directions, I figure they will survive.

As far as height, that is going to depend on so many factors including the origin of the plant you purchase, the fertility of the soil, the exposure and growing conditions in your garden, etc. The heights given on any source for clematis are general guidelines and I wouldn't use them as the ultimate guide as to how large they might get in your garden.

I personally like the way that clematis look if they outgrow, height wise, the structures they are climbing. They tend to drape down and over the existing foliage and then grab onto other parts of themselves. I wouldn't be concerned with the height considerations for most clematis unless you are growing a variety that is really aggressive like virginianna, terniflora, or some of the montanas.

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Nckvilledudes, so happy that you came back to answer my questions. Another gorgeous photo. Please identify. My deck has 3 different sections. Last year was my first year planting clems. I believe that I now have 15. On each section I want to do different color combinations. I saw the Viticella on Brushwoods web site a few weeks ago and fell in love with its' seemingly delicate nodding blooms. A possible combination such as Emilia Platter, which appears to have violet veins, would pick up the violet of the Viticella could make a good comibnation. Who knows what color it will turn out to be. Would love to see a photo when you get your first blooms. Any more combination photos that you care to share??
Thanks for all of the great info and photos.
Robin

Robin, I was out of town Saturday and Sunday and didn't get home until about 11 or so today, hence the time delay in responding to your post. See the link below to my Photobucket account as I have tons of photos there arranged in various albums.

Here is a link that might be useful: Miguel's Photobucket account