Z7 TN -- but the bloom timing doesn't really matter, because these are both fresh out of the nursery. They've been forced to bloom, regardless of their normal blooming season.

I have never heard of a clematis being "forced" to bloom out of season.......and I used to work with a major west coast wholesale grower :-) "Fresh out of the nursery" wouldn't necessarily mean they'd been forced - even if that was something that could be done.

I'd suspect both are blooms that have somewhat faded in original color due to exposure to strong sunlight. I'd say the first is Dr. Ruppel and the second might be Bonanza. It is possible it could be Galore, although that dark a flower is unlikely to fade to that almost silver/whitish blue. As Babs notes, it is neither Jackmanii nor Arabella - both the flower configuration and color are way off for those.

Call it what you will. Considering that I had the chance to buy an Etoile Violette that was in full bloom at the beginning of April this year, I'm not going to jump to any conclusions about normal bloom times based on purchase date. ;-)

But also keep in mind that these plants were grown at Costa Farms in South Carolina -- so forcing or no forcing, it's not safe to assume that they are blooming at their "natural" blooming period for here in TN.

Thanks for your ideas. I'm doubtful about fading on the pink one, since there are new blooms opening the same color. I just realized this afternoon that I've got an Abilene coming to me from a previous order that I had forgotten about -- I hate it when that happens! -- so I can compare the two whenever the second one decides to bloom.

OTOH, fading is a definite consideration on the small-flowered one. I'm still confused about it, though -- and it doesn't help that clem color so often comes out entirely wrong in photos.

Here's a couple of Arabella pics I've come across. They look very similar to my flowers -- again with the proviso that I've never seen the true Arabella color in person -- but Costa Farms doesn't list it as one of the plants they grow:

P.S. -- don't be misled by the more purplish cast in the first pic of the large-flowered pink clem. The second pic represents the true color of that flower much better.

Your second vine is NOT Arabella - I grow that one myself. The leaves also don't look right for Arabella. And it is a non-climbing variety as well.

I'm with GG about it not being Arabella as I grow it as well. Besides Arabella being non-climbing, yours is the wrong color, wrong size, and Arabella has tepals with a lot of substance.

I've decided to label this one "Bonanza?" for now. Once it settles in and produces better flowers, I'll be able to figure it out more easily.

Thanks for the input!

Hey Amazindirt!

Sorry to hear we mislabeled some of our clematis.
: (

You're right on both counts --- the first is 'Abilene' and the second is 'Bonanza'.

Apologies for the inconvenience. I hope you enjoy your clematis!

---Justin, Costa Farms Horticulturist

Thanks, Justin! I have bought several of your clems this spring. I'm especially enjoying Chevalier right now, which is blooming its little head off. Very nice plants, and a great price. Even with the mislabelling, I'm a happy customer. So no worries!

Glad to hear, Amazindirt! If there's anything else you need, just send me a message.

: )

---Justin, Costa Farms

How nice that the company responded and identified your clematis.

Anyone know what the bright pink is in his last photo? I am not clear about whether the last few shots are all the same plant.

All the pink clems in my photos are Abilene. They're all pics of the same plant. The last photo shows the color of the pink flower more accurately than the first photo does -- one problem with clematis photos is that it's so difficult to capture their true colors!

Wow! Thanks. That does look like a good pink! I really like it.