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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 16, 2007 10:00:35 GMT 1
P, I am a Clematis virgin. I have a huge expanse of boring west facing fence. Would clematis be an idea for cover? If so, what and how. My garden is rather dry as well.
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Post by plocket on Feb 16, 2007 10:06:27 GMT 1
Hia Mick! Well a clem is good for summer cover but you probably couldn't grow an evergreen there because they need lots of sun. The fact that it's dry could cause you problems because they are hungry and thirsty plants, but lots of well rotted manure if/when you plant would help that.
How much fence are you talking about and what colour flowers do you like? Do you want something you have to prune back for lots of fresh growth in spring, or something that you can just leave to it's own devices. Do you like the open flat flowers or more bell shaped flowers; simple shapes or doubles? There are so many to choose from after all!! ;D
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 16, 2007 10:20:26 GMT 1
Blimey, that's a lot of questions. I'll have a think and come back at lunchtime.
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Post by plocket on Feb 16, 2007 10:29:04 GMT 1
No worries Mick ;D
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Post by The witch on Feb 16, 2007 11:27:30 GMT 1
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 16, 2007 13:54:20 GMT 1
That is very nice Reet reet. I like that a lot. Very fond of white flowers and don't the leaves have a nice shape? Obviously spring flowering.
Length of fence about 30'. I don't mind pruning and I'm not too fussy about the flower shape but it would be nice to have something that would cover well even if only for part of the year.
Probably need to be reasonably vigorous as quite a lot to cover. Don't you cover the roots with stones to keep them cool?
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Post by The witch on Feb 16, 2007 14:16:59 GMT 1
Yes it flowers in the spring between March and May, it is very vigorous once established, and smells wonderful too. ;D Clems do like a cool root run, so you could use cobbles or slabs, but if you look at the photo I posted above, you will see that mine has lost it's lower leaves  So I would recommend under planting  Here is a close up of Armandii - but not mine ![]() i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/The witch-in-Norfolk/Bits%20and%20bobs/armandii.jpg[/IMG] |
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Post by The witch on Feb 16, 2007 14:18:08 GMT 1
........... and it's evergreen. |
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Post by plocket on Feb 16, 2007 16:42:08 GMT 1
I would warn that really they want quite a bit of sun Mick ;D
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Post by mickthecactus on Feb 16, 2007 17:47:53 GMT 1
Well the fence is south west facing so no problem there.
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Post by plocket on Feb 16, 2007 17:57:51 GMT 1
You might have found just what you want then!!! ;D
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So I would recommend under planting