Sorry, I see I should have put this in the other post about hardy clematis.

It sure looks like it would be Ruby. I just planted mine, so I haven't seen a flower in person yet. Compare your picture to the ones in the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: C. Ruby

Thanks Laurie,
That does look like it.
I was looking under alpina 'Ruby' on that site, so didn't see it.

I looked under alpine first too.;^) How tall does yours get? I'm hoping that mine will eventually cover an arbour.

Laurie,
It quickly grew to the top of the 5 ft fence, but probably has doubled back down, so it's difficult to say how tall it is. It is in a sheltered corner of the fence, but seems very hardy, with no die back at all so far. I would think it would look very nice on an arbor.

Thanks, if it reaches 10' tall, then it would go up and over the arbour......just like I wanted.:0)

Hi Laurie and Marie...

That does look like a hardy clematis I purchased a couple of years ago and saved seed from...
Alpina 'Ruby'. I'm not the most informed about hardy clematis, but would love to learn more....
I've purchased alot of different seed of hardy clematis, but found out it could take months for them to actually germinate...
Marie... since you live so close to me... I was wondering if you would like to try and germinate these seeds that I've purchased and maybe share some seedlings with me?

Rob

Rob, I'm not patient enough to attempt difficult to germinate seeds. I generally stick to the easier ones.

But while we're on the subject of Alpina Ruby, I just found a couple of seedlings near my vine. Anyone know if they're likely to be true to the parent?

Wow I am so jealous that you "southern" MB ppl are finding seedlings already. I went yesterday to dig some of my clems and other perennials to move to my new place but the ground is still frozen solid about 6" down. I couldn't even get my pitchfork in to get anything out. looks like I will have to wait until June to get stuff, which will be weird since the new owners will be in then.

Hunnerbun, congrats on a new home!!! Did you purchase a house with a big yard? Bet your little shelties are loving it!! Do you know if the new owners like gardening at all?

When we moved to the acreage 13 years ago I potted up all the perennials I had (only a few) as they emerged and took some of them with me. We had a 1/2 month overlap on the house in town and the acreage. The new owners saw the home in the winter full of snow and so had no idea what was under it all. If I would have known that right after they purchased it that they would tear down the huge $1000 kids climbing structure that was in the backyard I would have taken that with me also. It had a plastic slide, swings, and a full sized playhouse with a ladder up to it. Oh well.

Glad to hear that the bergenia made it through your long cold Thompson winters. Anything else? What about the little blue iris?

Great to hear from you!

Brenda

Hi Hunnerbun,

Great to meet you!
It makes me feel so warm (and I'm sure Marie too), that you call us people from The Pas, 'Southern People'.
Never been called that before, kinda like it...kinda like it alot... :-)
Hope you get to dig out all of your plants...
BTW...what kind of clematis do you have growing there?

Rob