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thistlebloom
Garden Master
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Steve, you say "CLEM-uh- tis" I say "clem-AT-tis"digitS' said:Clem-u-tis, there are lots of things I don't know about the vines.
When I bought this house there was a rosebush on the north side. It was a huge rambler of some sort, it never bloomed that summer. The realtor had a photograph from the year prior when the house was 1st listed showing that rose bush - it wasn't blooming then either.
The rose was trying to get around the house and out of the shade. Maybe I should have just moved it but it went in the garbage can and I went looking for a clem-u-tis.
I had noticed a beautiful white one in my old neighborhood but after one season of bloom, it disappeared. Suspecting that some of these varieties weren't very hardy - I just went with Clematis jackmanii, the purple variety that seemed to do well everywhere around here. I've never known whether I could have had one of the stunningly lovely newer types.
The jackmanii didn't disappoint, however! I bought 2 and put 1 on the north side of the garage. The 1 on the house gets summer sun early and late in the day because we are so far north and that sun sure gets into the north sky. A fence and the chicken house blocks the afternoon sun for the clematis on the garage. It may die all the way back to the ground during a summer but makes adequate growth come spring so that it is, at least, noticeable. The 1 on the house is almost beyond the vine category and into a "landscape feature" class.
Steve
either way they're beeyooteeful vines!!
Jackmanii are a good choice because they are so vigorous and just want to bloom. I bet yours are stunning!
I have about 17 at last count but so far no jackmanii (what's the matter with me? ) Fortunately I haven't run out of places to put them , and If I do I'll have to put in some random fence, or plant another tree.
It's very,very dangerous for me to go to a nursery and spot clematis, I just have to make some lame excuse to buy one.
My family probably doesn't mind peanut butter sandwiches....