For any clematis newbie, I highly recommend the type III viticellas. They are very hardy, less likely than most to have issues with wilt or mildew, and are very floriferous. Typical ones relatively easy to find include Polish Spirit, Etoile Violette, Madame Julia Correvon, Alba Luxurians, Betty Corning, Black Prince, Margot Koster, Minuet, Venosa Violacea, to name a few.

Planting a ground cover at the base of the plant is not necessary. Clematis like moisture and the best way to give them this is to mulch the plants well. The mulch will insulate the roots, keep the moisture from evaporating, and decompose to add more organic matter to the soil so that the moisture holding capacity of the soil will increase. A groundcover planted at the base of the plant will help with the evaporation, but will add nothing back to the soil. Depending on the type of groundcover, it may compete with the clematis for available moisture.

I have never seen any info suggesting that wilt is more common in the more humid areas of the country. The thing with wilt is that it is hit or miss with clematis, but it tends to be more prevalent amongst the large flowering type II clematis, hence my suggestion for you to start off with the type III clematis.

Thank you nckvilledudes:

I will check out the type 3 clematis. That sounds perfect. I will definitely check out the varietes you suggested.

What you say about the mulch as opposed to ground cover makes sense.

Regarding the wilt I understand your point about the probability of it becoming an issue. I'll just find one from the type 3 category I like and give it a shot.

Appreciate your time.

Kate

Not much more to add but... really? Just ONE? :0P

Violetta, one is the hook. Once she has success with it, I am sure more will follow. Like I have said before, clematis are like Lays Potato Chips. You can't have just one! LOL

Kate, good luck and let us know which clematis you start your collection with!

Thank you both!

I did some reading over the weekend and am looking now at 'Ville de Lyon' and 'Comtesse de Bouchaud'. However I will bookmark this thread to check back on the flavors you suggested. I wish it was spring again! I'm not ready to let the garden go to rest yet this year:)

Violetta your post made me smile. I told my husband this morning that I think gardeners suffer a bit from addictive behavior. He said, you just figured that out?

Appreciate your thoughts and the well wishes.

Kate

Kate..you live in a wonderful part of our country for growing clematis...I concur that the pruning group 3's/viticellas are the easiest to grow...but don't limit yourself as you have cooler more moist weather comparative to the PNW?..Pruning group 2's are beautifully larger and more tedious but after year three they are scrumptious..I'm VERY FOND of clematis "Pink Champagne"..the colour really pings at my heart everytime I look at it...I wished some of our hybridizers would play mixing that one with others...If I wasn't so impatient ..I would try myself...
I have 2 "Etoile Violette","Madame Julia Correvon" and 2 "Venosa Violaceas"...So I totally agree with Miguel on those..they are such a delight!! welcome to the world of our addiction the only addiction that brings joy and a smile to my face...it almost feels like it should be a sin for anything so beautiful can do all that for me...Jeanne

Thanks Jeanne.

You very graciously responded to my post on the rose forum also. I just ordered my two new babies. My husband is utterly convinced they will be dead in a matter of a few days owing to our cold nights. Keep your fingers crossed that I make a liar out of him.

Regarding your question about the weather yes we do have cooler weather for sure than say coastal regions and Western Washington, etc., We are short on precipitation however this year but where I want to plant has very rich soil and stays moist most of the time. I've actually rejected planting bulbs in there for that reason. In fact I am in the process of eradicating Queen Anne Lace from that bed that made itself incredibly at home the past three years.

I will check out the pruning group 2's also if I'm fruitful with what I'm planting now. Won't know much until springtime I suppose.

Thank you for your time.

Kate

I live in the soggy PNW and I grow hundreds of bulbs. Don't think you can't. It is only tulips that are so sensitive to soggy soils.

Clematis are very cold tolerant. I do know that Comtesse gets mildew here and I've had trouble with Ville de Lyon but if you aren't as humid, you might not.

In my climate, while I have had wilt on some type II's, I prefer them to the III's. Wilt has been occasional, mildew was on all of the III's I planted last year and it spread to some of the nearby II's as well.

Thank you buyorsell:

I'll bear that in mind. I have to make a decision about what to plant in that bed this winter since the clematis will only take up one corner. About the humidity we really have basically none. I figure rather than try to wring more information out of the Clematis smarties indefinitely at some point I need to just start growing them and go from there.

Appreciate your time.

Kate

Kate..you are welcome hon and be brave..plant two clematis of the same pruning group together and watch the beauty transform in years...I have planted purple and reds and reds and white and purple and whites together...they are stunning!!..I do this with my pruning group 3's!!..I've never had mildew on my viticella's/pruning group 3's!!..just goes to show you the difference in how they can perform in varing areas of the world!!...Jeanne

Kate, welcome to the Clematis world. I second what others have said about the vitacella group. I love them and they are easy to grow.

Also, we have a wonderful nursery in Northern California, Chalk Hill Clematis in Healdsberg. If you are ever able to make the trip (you have to check the web site to see when they are open) on a Thursday or Friday, call ahead and ask to speak to Murray Rosen the Manager who will be great helping you and telling you what to do, how to plant, etc.

Carol

Thanks Ladies! Excellent information. Jeanne you are a terrific resource and once I start growing I'm sure I will be appealing to you for help and feedback if you will indulge me.

Carol that is very good to know. That is a bit south of us up here in Plumas County but during spring and summer we do get around the state a bit so I will make a note about Chalk Hill. My husband is constantly amazed that wherever we seem to go I know a nursery in the area that I simply MUST go to.

Kate

Indulge away and allow us to be your enablers...the more clematis in the world..the happier and more beautiful life 'tis.....LOL..anytime!..Jeanne

Yesterday my clematis babies arrived. The looked happy and healthy but small of course. They are about the size of rose bands. Should I pot them up and overwinter on the front porch or try to plant them?

Thank you.

Kate

Not sure what a rose band is but from the sounds of them, I would pot up and grow out for a while before planting--perhaps next spring or fall depending on how fast they grow.

Buyorsell:

Another question please about bulbs. I know I'm in the wrong forum so forgive me. I wsa thinking about your words of wisdom about being able to maybe plant another kind of bulb in the space I described. Other than tulips. How about daffodils? Or maybe asiatic lilies? I've never tried to grow those before. I'm kind of clueless when it comes to bulbs.

Thank you.

Kate