Went clematis crazy last year

7 years ago

I am not buying any so far this year, as I want to see how the ones I bought last year do. I have never been good at growing clematis except for one Nelly Moser that is growing into a rose and has a pretty wide base of sprouts now, and one pagoda clematis growing in a giant pot with a large rose. Others I've tried haven't done well, I think due to fast draining soil and heat. I'm just planning on keeping them watered and mulched better, and I planted a little deeper though not as deep as maybe needed. I'm getting a bit old to dig as much. I have some in pots too.

The year before last I bought three from Silver Star Vinery: Daniel Deronda, Etoile Violette, and Venosa Violacea. The first two went into the ground last year and grew well. Venosa must have been in too much shade.

Then I bought the following and grew them mostly in gallon pots. Got some planted last fall and they are looking good. I have a hard time believing they'll really get as big here as descriptions say due to my track record with clems.

Got Blue Angel which I planted by Etoile Violette

Perle d'Azur

Rooguchi

Sapphire Indigo

Durandii

Princess Diana

Huldine

Mrs. John Warren

H.F. Young bareroot baby from Walmart

Venosa V " "

City of Lyon " "

Jackmanii " "

Betty Corning

Killian Donohue

Tie Dye

An unnamed one from Walmart in gal. pot

Prince Charles

That's about it. I got some that have great vigor.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

7 years ago

When one is a clematis lover, it is easy to find things for them to grow on! Wood trellises, obelisks or tuteurs are relatively easy to make yourself with basic carpentry skills. And there are often fences available to grow on and disguise :-) And never underestimate the ability of a decently sized shrub or many trees to provide support. As well as dead trees or stumps. The opportunities are almost endless!!

Personally I've grown them on fences, the lattice hiding the base of an elevated deck, a front porch post (with some guide wire), rhododendrons, lilacs, apple and plum trees, smokebush, a dogwood and various conifers. And two dead western redbuds that I was reluctant to dig out for fear of spreading the soil pathogen that killed them (no issue to the clematis, which is resistant).

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Comments (15)

mazerolm_3a
7 years ago
Holy cow, that’s a lot of clematis!! :). Love your picks! I only ordered Moonglow this Spring, bare roots, I have not received it yet. I might cave in and buy more at local nurseries when they open in a few weeks!
chouchou_gw
7 years ago
I've grown a few named on your list and I'm sure you're going to be very happy with them. I must ask what you will be growing them on. I have such a hard time finding appropriate obelisks/trellises for mine and you seem to have so many!!
erasmus_gw thanked chouchou_gw
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erasmus_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
Wow, Mazerolm, that is an unusual looking clematis. Is that one Moonglow? It reminds me of pictures of the rose, Wedding Cake. Just the pink and green.

Chouchou, I may well not have good enough supports yet. I think I could get bigger supports later if these actually take off. But I do have some large handmade arbors, some with roses on them. Also some store bought metal arbors. I have a number of obelisks and trellises, and I am using tall bamboo stakes tied together at the tops. Some of my clems are not twiners so they can scramble.

I took cuttings of Etoile Violette last year and ended up with about five plants of it. I plan to take some more cuttings of different varieties in case I lose any of the parent plants. If any of these clems get to be too much I will just have to deal with it later, but like I say, I have a hard time believing they're really going to get as big as described. I grow a lot of roses and those can make good supports if the clematis doesn't overwhelm them I suppose.
mazerolm_3a
7 years ago
Erasmus: yes, it is Moonglow. I hope that it looks as good as the picture!
erasmus_gw thanked mazerolm_3a
erasmus_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
I planted Huldine under a flimsy bamboo teepee but it is beside a big boxwood bush which it could climb on after the tripod. I figure after this year I'd probably be pruning them back quite a bit before spring so should be able to put up a better support then. Betty Corning is by a big arbor and the arbor is by an apple tree so it can go up that if needed. First it will have to push up through some shade.

Most of my new clems are really already bigger than expected for spring to be so new. Plainly some will end up cascading out of their little obelisks. It will just be great if they get established.
totoro z7b Md
7 years ago
I caught the clematis bug too! I got perl d'azur and Prince Charles this year too.

Rooguchi, Betty Corning and Sapphire Indigo are wonderful. I am still waiting for Huldine and Giselle to give me one bloom as they were bought last year from Donahue's.

If you need a more shade tolerant clem, I have found that Samaritan Jo blooms in nearly full shade. I also like pointed stellate petals the best, very delicate looking.

Good luck this year!
buyorsell888
7 years ago
Huldine and Betty Corning are big growers, Betty grows out in all directions, she isn't tidy. Reaches top of 11' trellis for me and then flops halfway back down.
erasmus_gw
Original Author
7 years ago
I took a look at Betty Corning yesterday and it has poked out of the shade and is about 5' tall now. I'm relieved it made it through most of the shade. It is ok with me if it takes over that arbor.
Deborah MN zone 4
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Well I guess the Clematis bug is contagious as I too, have added quite a few over the past few years. Can anyone give me an idea when Betty Corning blooms. I planted one last May next to the rose, Alchymist, and I was hoping for some simultaneous bloom. Thanks.

Oops! I was outside looking around and it is not BC planted with Alchymist, but ratherCardinal Wysynski which is budding out along with the rose, so never mind. ;-)
totoro z7b Md
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Deborah, to answer your original question, I don't think BC will bloom with Alchymist. My Alchymist is blooming now, but BC still has buds. Unless Alc blooms hang around. I will keep a look out and let you know.

Sorry I dont have CW.
Deborah MN zone 4
7 years ago
Thanks, Totoro.
nle3
7 years ago
Hi, if any one wants to get more Clematis, Song Sparrow have them on sale now. I got Clematis from them 2 times in the fall and all of them bloom the next spring. I also got Clematis from Garden Crossing because Song Sparrow doesn't carry double bloom clematis that I like. Garden Crossing Clematis plants are much smaller, and only 2 stems. Song Sparrow plants are much bigger and stronger. I will just have to get some more. Can't never get enough Clematis!!

http://www.songsparrow.com/catalog/plantlist.cfm?type=CLE,&subtype=all&startrow=0
totoro z7b Md
7 years ago
Deborah, Alchymist did hang around a long time in time for the first blooms of BC but there were not many. BC outlasted Alchymist.
Deborah MN zone 4
7 years ago
Yes, that is what I am seeing too. Thanks.