Sandy, there are so many wonderful clematis. I suggest that you go to the clematis forum and read some of the postings and see some of their photos. But be warned, clematis can be addictive.

Some ideas I have taken from the clematis forum is to bury deep and to pinch the vines to encourage more stems as well as hard pruning for the first three years regardless of the pruning group. Also to plant close, two per trellis or more depending on the size of the trellis. When planting two or more clematis together make sure they are the same pruning group. Clematis can also be grown through shrubs and into trees.

There is the old reliable Jackmanni that is often one's first clematis. I love my Duchess of Albany and Comtesse de Bouchaud, Rouge Cardinal, Recta. MMe. Julia Correvon has been very prolific and a reliable bloomer for me as has Purpurea Plena Elegans. The viticellas are less prone to clematis wilt.

I have many clems that are newly planted last fall and am buying more. 'Betty Corning' has a great reputation and is new to me this spring. Others being added this year or last fall include 'The President', 'v. Etoile Violette' 'Polish Spirit', 'Hagley', 'Henri', 'Huldine'. These are all good bloomers.

Rouge Cardinal '08

{{gwi:578468}}

Rouge Cardinal & Recta '08
{{gwi:574208}}

Duchess of Albany '08

{{gwi:593834}}

Purpurea Plena Elegans '08 color is off, is more of a dusty light purple

MMe. Julia Correvon, '08 one of my oldest clematis
{{gwi:578467}}

I was thinking mnwsgal would get this one for you...you have pretty much heard from one of the best with clematis now...Helen.

These pictures are so inspiring! I am wondering how do you know which pruning group a particular clematis belongs to, and also do all the pruning groups do ok in Minnesota?

Helen your right, I believe Bobbie (mnwsgal) is a clematis expert.

Wow Bobbie I love your pics. Can you provide, or anyone else, any nurseries that will have a good selection to choose from this time of year, or should I wait until fall to plant? The trellis are in a brand new strip bed that I will be slowly planting this year and next. Most of my wintersown babies will be going into the strip. ItÂs about 70ft by 10ft along a fence (bumps out here and there so not a straight line).

Thanks everyone
Sandy

LOL, I am a novice regarding clematis in the clematis forum.

Warning: Clematis are notorious for being mislabeled so whenever possible buy one in bloom to be sure you are getting the one you want. Thats how I got my p. plena elegans, lovely but not Betty Corning as was labeled.

I have been checking nurseries to add to my collection. Depending on how much you want to spend, Linders will soon be having their half price sale and their gallon clems will be about $11-13, a good price. I am eyeing some of their selections at their garden center sites. Also they have a two year guarantee. The big box stores have some gallon selections though limited in choices at this time. HD had more selections earlier and a good sale price. Since they get new plants throughout the season I check them often and each site seems to be different in what they offer. Lynde had their gallon clems for $4.99 on special earlier, they are normally $13.99, so not as many to choose from now, though still several. Bachmann's has several varieties but a bit pricey for me. I am looking at the alpina 'Constance' but waiting for a sale and hope it is still available. I don't remember the name of the place but there is a hardware store/garden center at Hwy 101 & 7 that last year had many varieties. I must take a trip down there.

If you get the very small clems at Walmart or big box stores they should be potted up and grown on until fall to encourage root growth. I also do this for mail order clematis which are in 4" pots.

I suggest you check the garden centers in your area, never know when you will find a sale or a special variety. Isn't the hunt half the fun?

To find the pruning group check the variety you want on the internet or you can get a listing from Donahue's that comes with their catalogu. The listing is three pages long and gives plant size, flower size and color, blooming time, and pruning group. I carry it with me as some labels are not clear as to pruning group.

All my early clematis were pruning group 3 (or C) which are hard pruned to the ground. All blossoms are on new vines (new growth). I do that in the fall as in MN one does not have to wait until spring because they will not start a second growth spurt after a hard frost.

Many people treat pruning group 2 (B) as group 3. Group 2 plants bloom on vines from the previous year (old growth) and on new vines (new growth). Those are pruned in the spring to new bud growth. The old growth will give early blossoms and later blossoms on new growth. I understand that those with double blossoms are usually on old growth with later blossoms usually being single. I am just starting group 2 plants so don't know how I will treat them later. All newly planted clematis should be pruned like a group 3 the first three years regardless of their listed group.

I saw a group 1 (A) hardy Z:4 listed but am not aware of having ever seen one myself in this area. That does not mean they are not grown here. Group 1 are not pruned except to shape. All bloom is on old growth.

Be sure to get a Zone 4 hardy unless you are planning to put it in a pot and overwinter in an unheated garage. I have done that and it has worked well for me. Although I am told that clematis have not been zone tested and they may be more hardy than listed. I am trying a 'Florida Siebold' in the ground this year. Will give it lots of mulch and snow cover (will be covered by snow removed from driveway). It is so beautiful that if that doesn't work I will get another and put it in a pot.

Sandy, if you get gallon pots, plant them now. That will give them a good year of root growth before winter and one less year to wait for a good display. Don't buy the bigger plants as you still have to wait three years so that is money wasted that could be spent on more clematis, IMHO.

I bought a gallon clematis from Menard's last year. It was in bud when I bought it and flowered later in the Summer. This year it was slow to come back, but is running up the trellis now. There are lots of small buds on five stems. On the other hand, the 3" potted clem I bought a few years ago took three years to finally flower.

So, an investment in a gallon sized plant is probably your best bet.

I second the recommendation for Mme. Julia Correvon, a great performer for me.

Comtesse de Bouchaud also has done well for many years despite being in a magnesium-deficient spot.

Here is a link to one of the best Websites, including information about pruning types and many delicious pictures.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis On the Web -- Hull

One that I really like and is a show stopper is Guernsey Cream. There are people that make sure they stop by to see it every year when it is in bloom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Guernsey Cream

Lovely photos, manyhosta. Zenpotter, Guernsey Ceam is one that I am looking for to put in a shadier spot.

Linders' had a good selection at their 50% off sale yesterday. I got a viticella Etoile violette to plant with my Betty Corning and a viticella Venosa violacea. Have you seen Rhapsody? I bought that one earlier at the 33% off sale.
The one I have looks very bluish like this one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rhapsody

When I was selecting clematis for my garden, I found this site's advice invaluable on selecting and growing clematis.
http://www.icangarden.com/forum.cfm?task=viewthread&chatthreadid=6309
It not only advises you on which clematis succeed in our climate, but also groups them on bloom type and pruning type.

These sites are great for seeing pics and growing details for the clematis that peak your interest after you read that previous article:
http://www.clematis.com/html-docs/Gallery.html
http://www.clematis.com.pl/wms/1040.html

And here is a link to a great site for getting your new clematis. Unfortunately at this time of year they are VERY picked over, many of the varieties are no available this season. But they have great pictures, their vines are priced about the same as you'd find in your local nursery, however they are HUGE compared to what you can get locally. At the nurseries up here in Bemidji they are charging $20 for a clematis in a 2" pot. At this site, they run around $20 but are in 4" pots and the root ball fills the pot.
Every plant I've purchased through them has been super healthly, well packaged and thrives after planting. Last year I purchased 3 vines and all bloomed the first year I planted them and are thriving this year.
http://www.gardenvines.com/catalog/index.php

Keep in mind that MN has several hardiness zones. In the Twin City area we are z:4 and can grow more selections than those listed in the above article.

This year I am finding that 1 gal pots are running around $20-25 at nurseries. These are well rooted. I always check to see if the roots are coming out of the holes in the bottom of the pot. The more roots on the plant the sooner they will become mature plants.

For varieties that I can't find locally I order online and have gone to Fairbault to pick up clematis at Donahues Greenhouse. We consider the trip to Donahues a day's entertainment.

When ordering online I always check Garden Watchdog before ordering to see what experiences others have had with the nursery.

Thanks for the great informational clematis sites to check out. The pics are all great too. My challenge now is to find a few clematis soon, but if I don't at least I'll know what to order this coming winter/spring for next year.

Sandy

I second the advice to go to Donahues in Faribault. They have the best selection and it's a field trip to go down there. Check out Farmers Seed and Nursery while you're in town.

The name of the store at Hwy 7 & 101 is Frattalone's Ace Hardware.

My "Blue Light" or "Vanso" clematis was planted last year and is doing very well. I'm a complete clematis newby and did not prune it or really doing anything special for it at all.

That "Blue Light" is really beautiful! Wow!