Longest blooming clematis for Utah

11 years ago

Bloom times just don't follow the rules here in this climate; e.g., Etoili Violette is supposed to bloom "midsummer", "July to September", etc. Mine is DONE before the end of June (about three weeks) with an occasional stray bloom for another 3-4 wks. I treat Ramona as a Group 3 and prune all of her to 6 inches in March along with the clems around the porch yet she's big and starting to get blooms in early June, too. She never has many at once but consistently has at least a few blooms all summer long.

I need to move the Etoili Violettes (aka, Audrey III and Audrey IV). I have loved them every June but, in addition to the early end to blooming season, they're starting to scare me a little. Last year Audrey IV killed the Rose of Sharon - didn't know that was possible. This may be the year they finally consume the porch, enter the house, and swallow us in our sleep. (Somehow I thought the "Third year they leap" rule meant they reach full-size that year but these girls are bigger every single year! .....do they ever stop?!)

I want to replace the Audreys with a smaller, more manageable clem that has a looong bloom-time. Am I asking too much for that criteria and deep purple, too? The color works so well here.

Utah and Colorado gardeners: who has bloomed the longest for you?

Kay

(These pictures were taken June 1, 2014. There are a number of blooms but from the pics it's hard to appreciate how many buds were on the verge of opening.)

Featured Answer

Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca

11 years ago

I don't have any suggestions but wanted to say wow ! How beautiful ! So pretty. Good luck in your search !

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Comments (8)

User
11 years ago
See if these threads can help you:
what-clematis-has-the-longest-bloom-time?

& this one long-blooming-clematis.

In my experience, clematis Arabella is the longest flowering clematis. But it is a non clinging form.
kay21_utahzone5b thanked User
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User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Ok, I found a compilation I had made from the threads about, they are more or less Purplish:
1. Clematis Blue Angel
2. Betty Corning
3. Mrs Cholmondeley
4. Viola
5. Wisley
6. X diversifolia Olgae
7. Daniel Deronda
8. Emilia Plater
9. Harlow Carr
10. Juuli
11. Polish Spirit
12. Prince Charles
13. Rouguchi
14. Venosa Violacea
15. Warsaw Nike
Check their photos on Clematis on the Web.
kay21_utahzone5b thanked User
kay21_utahzone5b
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for the responses. I've been all over Gardenweb and looked at so many varieties it's hard to keep track of them; these links and list in one place will be helpful!

Harlow Carr and Rooguchi have been on my list. It seems the bell shaped clems flower all summer; I've wondered how much help do they need to climb without petioles? How well do the small flowers show up from a distance? I don't mind directing mine and tying them in places but can't spend much more time than I do already.

I'm leaning to Versailles. It's the right size and color; and Ramona, in Pruning Group 2, blooms throughout the summer for me. Does that mean group 2 likes my climate? I would love to know the experiences others have had with Versailles.

Thanks!

Kay
User
11 years ago
Étoile violette is a groupe 3 clematis. Have you been pruning it accordingly to contain its size?

Small flowered clematis have a different feeling to them. It all depends on the color and the background. A yellow carpet of bell flowered tangutica on a dark brown blackish arbor makes quite a statement or a wall of white of the gigantic summer snow.

Rooguchi won't climb. It's a scrambling clematis.
User
11 years ago
In my experience, group II has 2 flushes. One in late May and another in September.

A lot of factors influence a plants flowering ability. Exposure, maturity, fertilizer, watering etc.
My neighbor's Tangutica was in full sun and flowered from June to September. Mine was in partial shade and it flowered only in September for 3 weeks.

If you like to have a clean look during winter, group III is better. If you don't care, group II should be fine.

Another clematis that comes to mind is a group I clematis called Joe Zary. Apparently it flowers all the time. And it is small and manageable.
kay21_utahzone5b
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, I prune them to just above the lowest buds, about 6-8 inches, in March every year. Pruning doesn't contain their size at all - they reward me by adding more and more shoots! They're gorgeous in bloom but overwhelming (and messy!) where they are located. Last year I pruned them to just below porch level in July and they grew back and bloomed again, smaller but nice.

I've not heard of Joe Zary before; that's a neat looking clem!
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
I have been looking for Harlow Carr for years but no one seems to carry it any more. Joe Zary was on the list for Silver Star vinery last year and this - I ordered one this year, but it hasn't arrived yet.