Clematis....

[Ann B.]

What a delight! I came home today to find these two beauties finally open!

You see, the Clematis is not new to me. I have known about them for a long time, but I was discouraged from growing them. Now, I am told that I can grow them given the right conditions, and the blooms I see today are proof that I am trying.

I decided to take this picture further away from the blooms so that you can get a better idea of the size of the blossoms compared to the chain link. Even with that, though, if you have not seen this particular variety bloom, it is hard to imagine such large, brilliantly colored flowers. This one is 'Dr. Ruppel'.

This one was started from a cutting about 18 months ago. I am sure it is going to be hungry and need some fertilizer, so I am hoping that one of you with more experience with the clematis can give me some recommendations?

Here's the picture:

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_dr_ruppel.JPG

[Ann B.]

Do I remind you of a kid in the candy store? Well, sometimes, I feel like one!

The blooms are even bigger today! Here are the pictures of yesterday and today, side by side....

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_dr_ruppel.JPG http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_bigger.JPG

What a TREAT!

[vicki]

Ann,
They sure are beautiful. I went to Sam's Club last week and they had a display of plants. I picked up 3 different clematis (4 in a pk), 2 different peonies (5 in each), dahilas 4 different kind (3 of each), anemones (150), and asactic lillies (24). They had them for 11.44 a pkg. Hopefully I can get them to grow!

[Ann B.]

I haven't been to Sam's Club in over 6 months. I want to go so bad, just don't have the time.... Now, you just made it harder!

Oh, well, I don't have that much longer before this semester will be completed. There's a lot of work to do between now and then, though and the dreaded finals.... 5 finals in one week! YUK!

Here I am at the candy store again! Another bloom...

Gives a better indication of how the blooms change in size and color after they open.

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_3.JPG

I have a feeling this thread may become a long one. I see another variety starting to open today, and it will be my first time to see this particular bloom also...

Hopefully, it won't be raining so that I can start taking pictures of it, too! Do I remind you of a new MOM?


What FUN! LAS!

[sue salley]

Congratulations Mom, what beautiful babies you have. Have you seen some of the new clematis that have the almost bell shaped blooms? They are pretty. Do you have the wild clematis in Texas?
I need to read the instructions on our digital camera and take pictures of my lady's slippers that are in bloom now. They are so unusual.
For valentines day I got some big boxes of miniature glads and some caladiums. We have potted them up to sell. The glads are shades of red,yellow and orange. They are very pretty. Also $11.98 a box. Some with 60 bulbs, some had 100 in them. We went back and bought 2 more colors of caladiums. They are very slow to come up. I think they must make the root first before the leaves come up. I can't wait to see them.

[Rebecca]

:) Ann,

You will really love Dr. Rupple after it gets some size to it, plant wise. I've had one planted right next to a Redbud tree for several years now and it just gets better and better. Last fall I finally pruned it back to about 12 inches to encourage more vining this year. However, befor I did that I had 'pegged' a couple of errant shoots into a lage bottomless clay pot that also sits next to the tree (it has a lovely Hosta in it). Anywho, I noticed this spring that it did take root and will have another vine to train up into the tree.

I brought home a more dead than alive seedling from Wally World (where I work) last summer, well the little darling actually bloomed last summer, which really was a surprise. This year it is sending up 4 or 5 big new shoots from the roots. I'm exceited to see how well it blooms this year. It is one called/named "Polish Spirit' and is growing on the north side of an arch that I placed between the double patios in my back yard. I have 'Nellie Mosser' (spell?) planted on the opposite side. The arch is a rather drab green metal thing and I have been covering it with branches pruned off the Redbud and other trees to give it more character. It will look awesome this summer when the two Clematis are in flower. I have 'Rouge Cardinal', a deep red, and a "Sweet Autumn" that share another arch that spans the sidewalk at the back of the house. I have to keep the "Sweet Autumn" pruned back or it takes over! I really should move it to a better location wher it can really grow and show it's full beauty. It can get 30 feet tall!

"Polish Spirit" is a dark blue purple with only four petals, "Nellie" is a lovely pink. I have another that I also rescued last summer and wintered it over in a pot. Can't recall the name right off, but I think it is a white. It would be perfect opposite 'Rouge Cardinal'; now I just need to figure out where to put the Sweet Autumn!

Sorry I don't have photos to show you, but since these are all older cultivars it should be easy to find photos of them through a web search.

Never be afraid to try new things!


Rebecca

:D

[Ann B.]

Rebecca,

I am so very glad that we have an experienced Clematis grower on Landspro.

Yes, this is one plant that is very new to me. During the days that I traveled in my work, I saw many of them, but I was told that they were difficult to grow here... Primarily because of our heat.

But then I met a few people were are growing them here, and they shared some of their secrets with me. Actually, they are not really secrets, but to me they were....

I have been fortunate to obtain numerous cuttings from quite a few varieties to try. They were very small cuttings, and I am so proud that most of them made it. I kept the rooted cuttings outdoors all winter, and of course, they went dormant.

You see that is another reason they are not supposed to do well so far south. I have been told that they need a cold dormant period. This winter was milder than recent winters, so I just hoped. Spring came early, and up they sprouted.

Then, whoops! There were blooms and a sudden hard freeze after a month of new growth. I was afraid I would lose the buds, so I covered them with old blankets and towels.

The other names that I remember are Multi-blue, Jackmanii and Proteus. I think there a couple more, but I really don't remember.

I know that it is time to fertilize them. Currently, I use Osmocote 14-14-14 for most of my potted plants and my beds. That is because of time constrants and because I can get it wholesale, not because it is the correct thing to use.

I suppose that in time I will need to feed them with a more specific fertilzer, but for now, that is about all I can manage.

What FUN it is to watch them grow! Seeing those huge blooms finally open is really a treat, and I had no idea that the blooms lastest so very long!

[Rebecca]

Ann,

Oh my! I am far from an expert! I just plant 'em and they grow!

The very best 'secret' I can tell you about these wonderful vines is to keep a heavy layer of mulch over the roots. They love the sun and don't mind the heat, but they absolutely must have their roots kept cool and protected. Six to eight inches wouldn't be too much for your warm climent.

If you can get some Osmecote for Flowering Plants it would be benificial to apply it in early spring to encourage flower production. Some cultivars will bloom all summer, off and on after a big show in late spring. I know my red one re-blooms throughout the season. Dr. Rupple tends to give just the one big show, possible because of where it is growing (under and into the tree) If these starts take off I may move them to a more open area just to see if that would have any influence over it's bloom habits.

Happy Gardening!

Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Hang in there with me, okay? I am new to the Clematis world and absorbing every tip I can get!

Now, don't laugh at the setup of this one. It rooted faster than the others, so its roots are firmly planted into the ground under the one gallon pot I was rooting it in...

Currently, I have a cheapo 1 gallon $1 bucket from Dollar Tree turned upside down to support the heavy bloom until I can carefully dig this one up and either put it in a bigger pot or move it to a permanent location (where its feet will stay cool).

Here is my first Clematis 'Proteus' bloom. It is not all the way open yet, but as you can see, it is going to be mighty full!

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_proteus.JPG

and my first Clematis 'Carnaby' bloom! They are not as big and heavy, but the colors are so very vibrant, aren't they?

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_carnaby.JPG

I LOVE IT! Now, if they will just continue to survive and bloom like this...

They are certainly a JOY!

[Rebecca]

Ann,

They are beauties! Love that double-double!

I never scoff at anyones growing techniques! I've used/done some pretty far out things too! My bottomless 14 inch clay pot I wrote about in a previous post didn't start out that way. Besides the clematis "pegs" I also have tulips and a very nice Hosta growing in it. I failed to move the pot one winter and the bottom fractured off of it. When I went to move it that following spring all I could do was carefully move the bigger pieces of what was the bottom out from under it since the plants had anchored themselves to the ground! I did twist the pot a few times to embed it firmly into the ground. Eventually the clay pot will crumble completely - from the bottom up - and I'll have to move the plants that are in it, but for now if the plants are happy, I'm happy!

Hint: Don't let your Clematis know they are supposed to grow (well) in your area and they will never know!


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Rebecca,

Wow! I love the double-double also. It is even prettier today....

Clematis 'Proteus'

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_proteus_2.JPG


AND there are three more blossoms on this tiny little plant! The plant is only about 1.5 feet now, and obviously, since it rooted through the holes of the pot and into the ground, I am afraid to move it any time soon.

I do believe I shall wait until after it goes dormant to dig it up and move it to a permanent location. Hopefully, between now and then, the vines will get large enough for me to root additional cuttings from it.

I have so very much to learn about this beautiful vine!

[Farmer Rob]

Here's a pretty one from last year, its FIRST year. We expect about dozens of blooms from the 4 of them. 2 are blue, the other 2, white.

[sue salley]

Welcome to the forum Farmer Rob. Beautiful clematis.

[Ann B.]

They are so pretty!

One of the ones that I was waiting to see bloom finally did...

Multi-blue, not the multi I thought they meant by the name, but my goodness, the bloom is HUGE! I should have taken the picture a few days ago when the color was deeper. That's a 3 gallon plastic pot under it!

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_multi_blue.JPG

Yes, Welcome! Farmer Rob! As you can see, I am new to clematis, and ever so fascinated by them!

Mine are very tiny rooted cuttings, and to see them bloom is a THRILL, isn't it?


Enjoy!

[JimRhodes]

Ann:

You mentioned that your Clematis was from a rooted cutting along with several others. I only have 1 Clematis (I do not know the name) vine and would like to have others. The one that I have is staying cool because it is always in the shade of a ligustrum plant.

My question is, how do you take the cuttings from the Clematis? I have all the necessary stuff to root it after the cutting but I do not know how and I do not want to mess up the only vine that I have!

Thanx for your answer

[Ann B.]

Dr. Jim,

Your best bet since you are new to propagating them, and you don't want to harm your existing plant is to soil layer it. You can do this in a pot if you want.

You will want to wound your clematis near the leaf node that you will be putting in the soil. Personally, I would dust the wound with rooting hormone.

Once it has rooted, sever it from the mother plant and let it further develop its roots for a month or so longer before transplanting it.

Normally, cuttings are done using an intermittent mist. Although I do have a small mist system set up, I didn't use it. I used the method described under antique roses on the main landspro pages, and it worked for these specific varieties. I did them under fluorescent lights, though, in the house because I was afraid it was too hot outside at the time that I received the cuttings.

I have since learned more about them, and there are several different 'types' of clematis. I have much more to learn.

Rebecca is far more experienced than I and can probably give you more tips.

Enjoy!

[Rebecca]

Ann,

I promised you a photo of my red Clematis when it bloomed, well it's in bloom!

[Rebecca]

Here's a view of a different bloom.
Enjoy!

[Rebecca]

Ann, Dr. Jim and all.

Thank you for the compliment, Ann, but I'm afraid it mat be misplaced. I've only been growing Clematis for a few years and really haven't done much propagation
I did get a cutting of C. "Dr. Rupple" to root last summer, but all I did was to shove it down into a bottomless clay pot that is next to the main plant. I have a heavily variegated Hosta growing in this pot, isolated, as it were, from the others so I could give it extra attention. It wasn't a very healthy or happy plant when I rescued it (and others) from the dumpster. Anyway, the Hosta and the cutting have both survived the winter. The Hosta has tripled in size and the Clematis is just a little slip of a thing right now (no pun intended!).

From what I have been reading lately about the propagation of Clematis, the easiest method is to peg a stem to the ground and let nature takes it's course. Most vining type plants will strike roots when their stems stay in direct contact with the ground, especially if it happens to be at a leaf axis or node. Pegging it to the ground, or even a pot of good potting soil just gives the gardener a little more controll. If you slightly nick the underside of the stem, where it will come into contact with the soil and dust the cut with rooting powder before pegging it down should help encourage the formation of roots You also need to keep the soil moist at all times (here's where using a container with potting soil comes in handy) is also esential. I would wait until the following spring to sever the pegged portion from the main plant - after new growth is well under way. Don't know if that's the right wat or not, but it is how I would do it.

I have a new photo to share with you today! This one is of the affore mentioned "Dr. Ruppel". Enjoy!


Rebecca

[Rebecca]

Here's a photo of the latest of my Clematis to begin flowering. It was a Wally World rescued plant last summer.

Enjoy!

Rebecca

[Rebecca]

Here's a closer shot of a different bloom on the same vine.

Rebecca

[Farmer Rob]

My FIRST Clematis, first year.

[Sumrnsun]

Nice Clematis, Ann! I'm excited about my mature clematis, it has about 25 buds about to open.

And good news about my hardy hibiscus. Two of the plants have new shoots. So two fo the four have survived.

Nice photos.

[Rebecca]

Summsun,

I planted five (5) rescued hardy Hibiscus late last summer and they all managed to survive. All are up and growing and I expect to see flowers in about three weeks.

Rebecca

PS

There will be photos posted too!

[shepp]

Some pics....

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_sh_01.jpg

http://www.landspro.com/images/clematis_sh_02.jpg

http://www.landspro.com/images/cl_sh_05.jpg

http://www.landspro.com/images/cl_sh_06.jpg

[Rebecca]

Hi! Y'all,

Well "Polish Spirit" has decided to bloom, finally! This clematis wasn't but about 4 inches tall when I brought it home from the trash can last year, where it had been tossed as a lost cause. It grew large enough by mid-summer of last year to give me a preview of what was to come.

It really took off this spring and has done a very fine job of covering it's side of the arch and I'm very pleased with it

It is very difficult to get the color right, but I think I've done it by shooting at dusk with only available light. Take a look and tell me what you think.




It took a little getting used to seeing only the four petals and when there's 50 or so open, it is a sight to behold! I did take some shots of the entire vine, but I haven't finished editing them yet. Maybe in a few days.

Rebecca

PS

I added this image from the new photo album. Probably a different image at that.

http://img4.photobucket.com/albums/1103/Hemmaholic/DAYLILY%20COMPANION%20PLANTS/POLISH_SPIRIT_CLEMATIS_05.jpg

[sue salley]

What do I think? I think that thing is beautiful. I've never had much luck with clematus except the Traveler's joy. But I'm trying some this year. A red one that was barely a root and some I got seed for. Can't remember what it is but it is up and growing very well. Maybe next year I'll have some pictures. (Maybe next year i'll also figure that camera out.)
Keep the pictures coming-they are great.

[sue salley]

Rebecca, Thanks for the info. Ours must be something elsr as it doesn't get nearly that big. It is beautiful and very fragrant. Grows in the botom by the creek. I have seen it planted by fences and it really puts on a show. Spreads moderately well but not invasive. When it blooms I will investigate futher what it is.

[AllGreenThumbs]

Got a question for ya..
I have only grown a few Clematis before myself but not these varieties. I planted two new ones this year, a "Proteus Clematis" and a "Duchess of Edinburgh". Both in full sun, heavily but loosely mulched, both the same size when I purchased them, both NOT pot bound. It has been rainy or overcast every day this past month and a half with the exception of 5 days, so LACK of moisture has not been a problem and they are both in good organic soil and both have been fertilized..lol.
Anyway, the Duchess of Edinburgh has not grown in height and only grown two leaves, while the Proteus has taken off and grown at least a foot and a half! Both plants leaves are very healthy looking as well.
Have you or anyone else ever grown either of these? I am wondering if the slow growth of the Duchess is normal for it or just what could be wrong with it?
Also, I read somewhere where some Clematis bloom on old wood and some on new, how do you know which you have? The tags for mine doesn't say a thing about this..
If my scanner was working, I would post pics from the tags, durn it!
Becki

[Rebecca]

Becki,

From what I was able to find out by searching with Google, your Dutchess of Edinburg in a mid to late bloomer, a good thing. I also have a mid to late bloomer that I purchased this spring that hasn't budged since I planted it. I am seriously thinking about giving it a ver light pruning to see if that won't encourage it to break new growth. It's somethin you might consider also. No more than half though and 1/3 would probably be even better. Here's a link that you might also find helpful:
<center>CLEMATIS CARE (http://www.brushwoodnursery.com/clematis_care.htm) </center>

My newest is also a double, 'Belle of Woking', a very pale mauve-white, short grower, 7 to 9 feet says the pot tag. Mine came in a four inch pot and although some of the ones offered did hav buds or a flower or two I really don't expect it to bloom until next season.

It isn't much help, but it is some help! Hope it's enough to get you started.


Rebecca

[Ann B.]

Was that only a year ago?

Time is moving TOO-o-o FAST!

ASAO Clematis, my first Clematis bloom this year....

[Rebecca]

Ann,

This one's for you! Hope you like it!


http://img4.photobucket.com/albums/1103/Hemmaholic/Psudo-Art/NEW%20WATERCOLORS/asao_clematis-ann_b_copy.jpg




Rebecca

[Rebecca]

I planted this one last spring and it just sat there the entire summer, didn't grow an inch! This year it has decided to not only grow, but bloom as well It would have had four blooms but a smaller "branch" accidentally got broken off, so I only get two blooms this season. It may produce additional blooms as the vine gets bigger. Sure hope so!

First up is the normal image and I'll follow with a second posting with the watercolor I created from it. For some reason I was thinking this was a white, boy was I wrong!

Enjoy!

Sorry about the large size.

[Rebecca]

Here is the watercolor, but decided to use one with a slightly different angle:



Rebecca