Need some input on color

[Jared77]

Was looking at fencing and that lead me to doing the gate and building an archway using the posts to support the gate as the back part of an archway. Ill put some of the left over fencing on the archway to give a climber something to hold onto and give the area a big shot of color.

So I figured I'd put some clematis on it since the archway will be at most 8ft high and about 3-4ft wide (where the plants would be climbing) so I don't want something that's going to get huge and start climbing on the fence.

Now here's what's I'm wondering. The archway would be viewed from the back deck of our house. We have 2 acres and the house sits almost right in the middle. The deck runs the whole length of the back of the house. GREAT deck for entertaining and we already spend a lot of time on it. The archway would also be seen from the kitchen window. Look out the window and there's the garden. Mind you the garden is going to be near the back edge of the property, so its not right on top of us.

I'm really thinking about planting a bolder colored clematis variety like a magenta or a dark purple, or red, something that really has a lot of pop so it can really be seen from the deck and kitchen window. And since the archway would be on its own, I could do just about any color I wanted to. Each side should be wide enough to have 2 clematis on each side so that's the plan to make sure its well covered. Now I'm not sure if I should do 2 different colors say one that I mentioned plus white for extra contrast or should I plant it all the same color and just saturate the area with the same color so it really shows up from farther back?

I've never planted with viewing from afar in mind. I mean we'll be close to it at times, but still want it to stand out from farther back too. What do you think? What would you do?

I'm not even going to build this till possibly fall, maybe even spring depending on when I get the materials and the area prepped which is all dependent on how the fall goes. If summer creeps into September I may try to get rolling then if not its a spring project. The idea came to me so I figured I'd clear up what I want to do, so I can figure out what variety(s) I want so in the spring Ill order them when I order seeds.

Thank you!

 

[NwMtGardener]

I'm personnally a "uniform color" person...i would say plant 4 plants of the same kind, bright and gaudy variety to benoticable from a distance.

To tell you how much of a uniform color person i am...when we moved in here, there were 3 different types of tulips, mixed up in the beds. I'm STILL 8 years later, marking wrong color tulips to move in the fall with their color group!! (ps i havent bothered to try and separate my 2 colors of iris yet...)

 

[Kassaundra]

I will post a different opinion, I think two color combo that work well together looks stunning. I think you should find a piece of art that really speaks to you or a fabric that does (just for a color idea) then choose the color combo from that. You don't even have to own the art, just use it for inspiration.

 

[thistlebloom]

I'm going to give you the exact opposite advice as Heather! I say mix it up! Make it lively and colorful!

If you have spots for 4 than plant 4 different varieties. In fact you can plant two clems in one hole to make the most of contrasting bloom times and colors. There is a wide range of bloom times so it's possible to have blooms from late spring through late summer. And some clems are repeat bloomers, blooming as a double the first time, and a single later in the season.

I love the deep reds and burgundy's, and the deep purple are nice too, but everybody has one. Throw a white and a pale pink in with the dark ones for a nice complement.

There are so many varieties and colors out there, this should be a real fun project!

 

[journey11]

I like the idea of doing all four the same color. The classic purple clematis will get nice and bushy and they seem to bloom more heavily and reliably than the other colors, around here at least. You definitely turn your head when you spot one of those from the road. My FIL has had several of the different colors, but none were as showy and thick as the purple ones. I am not sure of the cultivar name, but it is the most common clematis. Somebody on here would surely know.

ETA: Though Thistle does make a very good point about the different bloom times...the longer to enjoy it! Maybe 2 kinds, one and one of each per side? Or maybe the spot could even hold more than two vines to a side. Some are slimmer vines. The classic purple gets nice and bushy though.

 

[thistlebloom]

Journey, I think you're thinking of Jackmanii. It's a very old variety and popular because it's so reliable and gets loaded with blooms..

In my garden there are several that get bulky and bloom prolifically, a red, a few different purples and a pink bell shaped one.

Also have some wispy ones that I think are charming.

One thing to keep in mind is to keep the varieties together that require the same pruning time. Not a problem if you don't plant 2 to a hole.

Eta- if you want to boggle your mind, take a look at Completely Clematis.
http://clematisnursery.com/

 

[Nyboy]

When do you use the deck the most daytime or night time ? Lighter colored flowers would show up better at night.

 

[catjac1975]

I personally love the giant white clematis. They show well from a distance and are luminous at dusk and even into the night with a bit of light on them. Clematis love a scoop of limestone and fertilizer twice a year They are very slow to take off.

 

[so lucky]

I think that classic purple one is Jackmanii. I would vote for combos of purples and pinks. Maybe an early and a late of each color.

 

[bj taylor]

my vote is one solid color to come through for the distance and a single plant that is white. unless your place is perfectly formal, the odd number of plants by planting one of white will look fine & the white will keep it alive in the evening hours.