|
|
Post by Sleepy on Mar 13, 2007 10:31:57 GMT 1
Now then Big P,
You've got me interested in these clematis thingys.
As you know I recently (late last summer) got my first specimen. I think that I'm ready to add a few more and would like to run a few varieties past you for approval:
Clematis armandii Appleblossom - scented - flowers March to May
Clematis flammula - scented - flowers July to October
This one I want to grow in and through my twisted willow
Clematis cirrhosa Freckles - scented - flowers October to November
Clematis rehderiana - scented - flowers July to October
Waddaya think?
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Mar 13, 2007 14:55:09 GMT 1
Hello Sleepy! Right, your clematis thingies  Armandii - yummy - will need a sunny spot and lots of space to go rampant! Again this wants a sunny spot and grows BIG! Up to about 5 metres if it's happy so I hope your twisted willow is large enough! It's Group 3 so you might struggle to get all the dead stems out of your willow in the spring, and it's stems would rather detract from the beautiful curvy branches in the winter. If you want to go this route have a look at Flammula var. Rubromarginarta - it's flowers are possibly a bit more interesting, but not if you like plain white, and it's got a good scent ;D Freckles - I've got one and love it! Again it wants a sunny spot but is a real winner through winter because not only is it evergreen but of course it blooms, and probably a bit later than you are quoting - mine was flowering December to February. The flowers are quite subtle though so don't be disappointed if they aren't really obvious from a distance. Rehderiana - this is another whopper and needs lots of space to grow. You like the small flowered varieties don't you? I can't speak from experience on this one but I'm hoping to grow it from seed this year. I'd be surprised if it's still flowering in October too - I would expect it to be finished by about October time. You've got a nice varied selection there Sleepy, but I hope you've got enough room for them all!!! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Mar 13, 2007 15:02:46 GMT 1
Thanks P, that's given me a lot to consider. Will be back at you soon  |
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Mar 13, 2007 21:00:25 GMT 1
I really love Clematis armandii. I planted one on the front of my barn when I made the border along the front. It did really well for a couple of years then upped and died  I assumed it was too hot and dry for it there....what sort of soil does it like best ,Plocket, please? |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Mar 14, 2007 11:26:41 GMT 1
It was possibly too dry 4P. They don't want to be waterlogged, but at the same time they want lots of water! Then can cope with some acidity but they do like the heat. I'll have a look through my books 4P and see if I can find out anything more for you.
|
|
|
|
Post by The witch on Mar 15, 2007 12:34:42 GMT 1
4P - they like a cool root run, so it's a good idea to cover the area around the roots with cobbles or slabs. |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Mar 15, 2007 17:23:38 GMT 1
I think if you wanted to try with another one you'd need to put lots of manure in the bottom of the hole that you dig, and some bonemeal, and mix them in well with your soil. Then put a piece of plastic tube/pipe (about 1 to 2 inches in diameter) into the hole so that the bottom is as near to where the roots will be as possible. Then plant your clematis and backfill with some good quality soil mixed with more manure - not only will that give the plant a good start but the tube will mean that you can water direct to the roots. If you are going to try again you will have to water the plant regularly in dry weather, directly into the pipe so you know the water is getting to the roots. And as The witch says, either cover the planting area with cobbles or slabs, or plant some low growing plants.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Mar 16, 2007 13:32:39 GMT 1
Should I protect my newly planted clem from the impending cold snap P?
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Mar 16, 2007 13:56:17 GMT 1
When did you plant it Sleepy? Hasn't it been in the garden over winter?
|
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Mar 16, 2007 13:57:50 GMT 1
Yes, I planted it late last summer/early autumn. It's only 18" high, and has it's first leaf buds just opening.
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Mar 16, 2007 14:16:52 GMT 1
Well it should be fine Sleepy - it's not exactly going to be seriously cold though - possibly down to Zero I would have thought - but it might get a bit of a shock! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Apr 11, 2007 17:13:37 GMT 1
Plocket! I was dragged unwillingly into the Tescos Garden Tent and HAD to buy the "Pixie" that was in there - soooo pretty! Is it really evergreen? Have you got one? (You MUST have!) Where does it like to grow? Please? Tell me all you know!
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 11, 2007 19:22:09 GMT 1
Oh poor you hunnie! ;D
Ok yes Pixis is really evergreen and I did have one but managed to kill it off!!! If I were you I'd keep it in a pot, coz it's only little, and when it wants shelter in winter you can easily bring it into somewhere with a bit of protection (your greenhouse or poly tunnel, just to keep the frost off). It wants lots of sun all year round though. I don't think mine got enough sun or shelter in the winter. It's a little sweetie isn't it? And I think it's scented!
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Apr 12, 2007 7:38:13 GMT 1
Well, they're selling them for £5.99 at T's and they are GORGEOUS! I was tempted by another slightly bigger flowered evergreen one too but resisted.....I really love those white/green flowering plants - so subtle. "Pixie's" flowers are exquisite. I had a big patch of Bells of Ireland last year and they were so pretty - hang on! I haven't sowed any this year. Nooo, another trip to the GC.......
Am I imagining that GW are going a green flowering garden this year? Hope not - cos it'll be very pretty.
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 12, 2007 9:52:03 GMT 1
Someone was talking about Bells of Ireland only recently - Sean possibly? Anyway I really must plant some one year coz they are lovely. Perhaps large for my garden but lovely all the same. Pixie is divine but as I say I think it is a bit tender and I couldn't be bothered to fuss about finding a winter home for it (I've still got my Pennisetum Setaceum "Rubrum" in the house!!!) and it snuffed it this winter. I'm so mean!!! I've got Cartmanii Joe now and hopefully that will be a bit tougher |
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Apr 20, 2007 9:23:28 GMT 1
Freckles was badly chomped last night  |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 20, 2007 9:50:02 GMT 1
Oh dear Sleepy. Those pesky slugs! Remind me when you planted Freckles? When it's really established it will romp away, leaving the slugs standing ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Apr 20, 2007 9:52:19 GMT 1
Oh dear Sleepy. Those pesky slugs! Remind me when you planted Freckles? When it's really established it will romp away, leaving the slugs standing ;D About 3 weeks ago The Tritinata Rubromaginata has had his flowers chomped Freckles has has her leaves chomped Golden Tiara is undamaged and doing well |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 20, 2007 9:56:16 GMT 1
And how tall was it when you planted it? If it was two or three foot with quite a few stems I think you'll be ok. If it was a tiddler then you are going to have to give it a bit of extra TLC because the slugs will be all over it like flies on a ... oh don't go there. Anyway - put some pea shingle around the base, or baked/crushed egg-shells. If you've got any copper tape, put it around the supports that Freckles is growing up - and do anything else you can think of to stop or even kill the slugs.
|
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 20, 2007 10:00:54 GMT 1
Mmm the slugs don't seem to go for the tangutica clematis in my garden either. Trit-Rubro (had to be careful there ) should bounce back but will still need protection. Ah the joys of growing clematis Sleepy - it's a hard lesson. I don't go down the blue pellet route and do all I can to use other methods. If you need more ideas you can put down porridge oats for the slugs to gorge on, but they need replacing after rain; garlic pellets are pretty good but not cheap. And I recently read about making up a garlic spray - soak chopped garlic cloves in water for 24 hours then strain and use the water to spray on your plants. |
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Apr 20, 2007 10:23:07 GMT 1
And how tall was it when you planted it? If it was two or three foot with quite a few stems I think you'll be ok. If it was a tiddler then you are going to have to give it a bit of extra TLC because the slugs will be all over it like flies on a ... oh don't go there. Anyway - put some pea shingle around the base, or baked/crushed egg-shells. If you've got any copper tape, put it around the supports that Freckles is growing up - and do anything else you can think of to stop or even kill the slugs. Freckles if a couple of feet tall, and the damage was just one slug I think. She'll be alright. I will take the preventative measures that you have suggested |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 20, 2007 14:12:03 GMT 1
She should put on quite a bit of growth this year Sleepy, once she's settled. Fingers crossed!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Sleepy on Apr 20, 2007 14:13:43 GMT 1
She should put on quite a bit of growth this year Sleepy, once she's settled. Fingers crossed!! Hmmm. I planted her under one of the 4' obelisk/cone things. Sweetie warned me that she will out grow that very quickly |
|
|
|
Post by plocket on Apr 20, 2007 14:23:20 GMT 1
Oh yes!!! She'll be out of that this year probably!!! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by bogmyrtle on Nov 16, 2007 11:53:08 GMT 1
Oh yes!!! She'll be out of that this year probably!!! ;D Plocket, can I have some clematis advice please? I have two in a large pot (Freckles and another, sorry cannot remember the name at the moment). They were growing up an obelisk, which, thanks to the pigeons using it as a perch before they land on the bird table, has broken. I've had a quick look this morning and I don't think it is repairable. With Freckles, I will have to spend some time trying to remove it from the obelisk carefully. For the other one, early summer flowering, I was wondering if it would shock it too much if I pruned it, perhaps just lightly and moved it out of the pot at the same time? Many thanks. |
|
