Garden art Nothing
completes a picture-perfect garden like clematis
The
palette of a garden can be painted solely in the shapes and colors of trees, shrubs and
flowers. But, somehow it's just not complete without the grace and charm of an ornamental
vine.
The garden takes on a new dimension as the tendrils of a vine soar out and above, its
flowers or foliage dancing in the breeze.
For too long vines have been categorized as invaders, plants to be avoided because they
would overtake a garden.
Not now. Locate vines where they do best. Give them space and a trellis or arbor where
they can twist and turn and do what comes naturally. They'll reward you with some
high-flying acts sure to please all who watch them.
``People are outdoors more, entertaining and enjoying their yard, pool or deck,'' says
Lynn Bassett, manager of annuals and perennials at McDonald Center in Hampton. ``Vines
give them color and privacy.''
The clematis vine - often called the queen of the climbers - has done the most to bring
the worth of the vine to the attention of gardeners. It's truly a royal vine in color and
personality. It's a non-aggressive vine that's easily trained with a little pruning and
good support, and it comes in colors ranging from red and purple to pink and white. Many
put out a riot of color in the spring, then bloom sporadically throughout the summer.
There are more than 300 species of clematis. A properly planted and cared-for one can
live for more than 80 years.
A clematis vine likes light, loamy, well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7; a
soil test will tell you what your soil acidity is. Lime should be added if the pH is below
6.5. Clematis roots don't like dry soil, and their flowers do best when dappled sun warms
them. The best way to keep the roots moist is to plant a low-growing ground cover - such
as ajuga - over them and apply a light layer of loose mulch.
The vines are somewhat thin and brittle so they need good support and protection from
the wind.
When planting, the plant's crown should be set 2 inches below the soil surface. Give
the plant immediate support, such as a bamboo stake, so the brittle stems won't break.
Clematis vines also look good when given compatible company. Plant two together for a
combination of colors, or let one twine its way with a climbing rose. The result will be
graceful garden art no brush can capture.
CLEMATIS AT A GLANCE
COMMON NAME: Jackman clematis
SPECIES: Clematis x Jackmannii (klem a -tis or klem-a tis) (jak man-i or jak man-e-i)
SIZE: 2 feet wide, 5-20 feet long, depending on variety.
EXPOSURE: Sun to light shade for top, shade for roots.
FORM: Vine that climbs by twining stems and leaf petioles, which are the stems of
leaves. Needs training on some support or trellis.
LEAVES: Deciduous, 2-4 inches long; leaves stay green until they drop in fall.
FLOWERS: Large, 3-8 inches across, single or in cluster. Many different cultivars with
single and double flowers and colors including white, pink, red, maroon, blue, purple and
bicolors. The showy portions are the colored sepals and many stamens; generally no petals.
Flowers May-October. Spring and summer flowering groups; some rebloom.
FRUIT: Collection of seeds with long silvery hairs; quite showy.
CULTURE: Best to use container-grown plants. Likes humus-rich, moist soil with a pH
between 6.5 and 7. Keep vine in full to filtered sun for flowering but keep root system
moist with mulch. A low-growing, shallow-rooted ground cover, such as ajuga, planted over
root area also helps shade clematis roots. Plant does not like heavy clay soils, poorly
drained sites or hot southwestern exposures. Fertilize regularly; water during drought.
Prune occasionally early spring to train and increase flower production.
When planting, the plant's crown should be set 2 inches below the soil surface. Give
the plant immediate support, such as a bamboo stake, so the brittle stems won't break.
RELATED SPECIES: Sweet Autumn clematis, or Clematis dioscoreifolia robusta, is a
vigorous vine with fragrant white flowers appearing late August-September. Virginis bower,
or C. Virginiana, has masses of small white flowers in late summer.
VARIETIES: Henyrii, summer-bloomer with 6- to 8-inch white flowers; pointed petals
accented with deep cream midrib and dark stamens. Young foliage displays bronze color.
Hagley hybrid, rose-pink flowers that are a deeper shade toward midrib, purple-tipped
stamens provide contrast; in June, first flowers are 5-6 inches across; followed by masses
of 4-inch flowers until fall. Will Godwin, blue flowers. Vino, fuschia flowers. Fireworks,
red flowers. Comtesse de Bouchard, large silvery-rose pink blooms with pale yellow stamens
from summer to autumn. Ernest Markham, large magenta-pink flowers June to September.
President, large red flowers June to September. Ramona, lavender-blue with dark stamens
summer to fall. Nelly Moser, cheery pink and mauve striped flowers late spring.
Good for light shade: Nelly Moser, Markham's Pink, Blue Bird, Wada's Primrose, Snow
Queen, Comtesse de Bouchard or any of the Clematis alpina such as Frances Rivis, says Fine
Gardening magazine.
USES: Clematis vines also look good when given compatible company. Plant two together
for a combination of colors, or let one twine its way with a climbing rose.
PRUNING: Important to keep flowers prolific. If it blooms spring, cut back a month or
so after flowering; if it's a summer or fall bloomer, prune late fall or early spring.
Sources: Virginia Cooperative Extension, Anderson Garden Center, McDonald Garden
Center
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