Lovely arbor. I think it's a good idea to grow a type three clematis on it so you can trim it back in winter and enjoy the metalwork.

I only grow Betty Corning, so I can't compare. It is somewhere that I don't see it too often, so I can't even tell you how long it blooms, but I think it might just be too rambunctuous a vine for an arch which you plan to have over a path. I can tell you that Mikelite blooms for a long time, and another way to prolong bloom on any clematis (excepting type 1) it to prune some of the stems and leave some of them unpruned.

I also think it’s a beautiful arbor-what a great gift. My vote would be for Jackmanii. I know it’s an older one but I’ve always found it to be very resilient and with an extended bloom time I just don’t think it can be beat for ease and beauty :)

Jackmanii was the first that came to my mind as well :-) But it's a BIG vine that might just overwhelm the trellis! But without question one of the longest blooming selections.

On reflection, is there a variety of vining clematis that isn't arbor worthy.......????

Thanks !! I read after I posted that Betty Corning is a mounding obelisk ready one . I still want it .. but for somewhere else ! I'm going to look at Mikelite to see !

I messaged hummingbird farms on Instagram as she seems active there and she recommend Emilia plater . It looks lovely ! I already have jackmanni and it is lovely ! I have it by my Eden rose who will hopefully do amazing soon

Oursteelers ..if I didn't know any better I would have guess my mom signed up and was you! She loves the steelers so much and probably would choose a handle referring to that ! :)

you are right gardengal .. you really can't go wrong !! There are so many beautiful clems out there . It is hard to choose !! I'm looking forward to sharing photos with y'all this summer.

Lilyfinch.... this is for your Mom!

Here is a really old pic of Blue Angel.

Betty Corning is a huge grower that reaches out in all directions. She isn't tidy at all. Her trellis is 9' tall and she reaches the top and flops back down and overwhelms her neighbors growing 12' wide.

Grown both Blue Angel & Betty Corning for at least ten years & they bloom early Spring till late Autumn here in a climate similar to yours. Very different habits. Agree Betty Corning matures tall & wide, really unsuitable for an arch like yours. Remember harryshoe in PA pairing BC with Westerland (no slouch of a rose itself) & BC overwhelming his plans? Best here as a backdrop (well behind roses) where it can dominate dramatically to its heart's content. Lovely fragrance to the flowers.

Blue Angel is my favorite for arches - generous bloom in a fetching form & color highly compatible with all hues & easily managed. Appreciate also the size of the flowers - 3-4" fully expanded - that pairs so charmingly with equal or larger blooms of roses. Prefer pairs of the same clems & roses flanking both sides of an arch to give the effect of a continuous wreath. Lovely gift arch you have there! Sue

http://www.helpmefind.com/clematis/l.php?l=2.49894.1&tab=1 

Hi sue !!

What good luck then that I also ordered a pair of blue angel . I found a arbor for sale on Craigslist so I have 3 arbors now that need clems . One arbor will have 2 Amelia , the other 2blue angel and them the third will have solina on one side and I'm not sure what else . I'm really excited for them to all come together!

Amelia isn't a climber, so growing up the center of an obelisk, letting it sprawl, or letting it lean against shrubs might make more sense than a flat trellis which it won't cling to. You would need to fasten it or weave it through the trellis. That just gives you an excuse to get an obelisk and a couple more climbers!

You may have seen my Blue Angel before but will include it in case you haven't. This is growing on a 6ft obelisk with Warsaw Nike. For me it did not bloom all summer though did bloom for about 6 weeks.

Early June 2016 Blue Angel was just starting to bloom

Mid-July 2015 Blue Angel in full bloom while Warsaw Nike is about finished.

Oh babs !!! I do have Amelia coming but I meant to write "Emilia plater " for my arbor . Oops .

My gosh mnswgal !!! The photos are gorgeous!! Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. You have a stunning combo there. I love it !

That was a really nice combo, MNwsgal! I hope the new owners appreciate and care for the garden!

Thanks, Babs. I have high hopes as he indicated interest. We will be visiting old neighbors so will occasionally drive past. While I am still glad to have moved I am thinking about the emerging spring plants and the special joy of discovery. Soon I will know if I get a garden plot here or will need to find a community garden. Have begun planning a small vegetable garden.

Lily, this blog has a BC on an arbor and a photo of BC with Eden like my pairing.

https://petalsandwings.blog/tag/clematis-betty-corning/

Thank you Totoro ! That is beautiful! I paired my Betty with blossomtime.. I'm excited for the combo , hopefully by fall ! My Eden as you know is so slow growing .. lol

what a lovely blog ! Many beautiful clematis

I also like viticellas. I have a vigorous one called Carmencita. Dark magenta/carmine blossoms. It would look great on an arbor.

Festiva, your Polish Spirit with the roses is magnificent! And your arch is amazing.

Kaillean, that is a great shot of the sun's rays in the sky and through the petals. I never heard of Carmencita. Thanks for sharing