Up To My Eyes In Clematis

[Rich]

In 2002 I went to a Christmas fair and was given all the plants left over at the end, this included two clematis montana which I planted in a temporary willow tower which has now rotted leaving me with two homeless plants.

I had intended building a trellis, but other jobs had to be given priority.

In 2003 I went to the Malvern Show where I couldn't resist 6 different clematis plants for ?5.

That winter I found an evergreen clematis which I added to my collection which had now reached 9.

In May 2004 I bought the materials to make the trellis, but once again priority had to be given to more important jobs.

In the spring 2005, a magazine had a packet of clematis seeds attached and I planted these, I now have 6 young plants from these seeds about 3 feet high.

In April this year I finally built phase 1 of the trellis and have planted 6. The rest will have to go onto phase 2, which will be built when I am happy with the design.

Today DW left her job, and as a leaving present they gave her a clematis.

I spoke to my Mother yesterday evening and she has ordered four clematises for DWs birthday tomorrow.

I quite like them, but not that much. I had hoped to grow something a little more exotic on the trellis.

[MrSeedy]

I have to admit Rich, that I've never "gotten around' to building a "proper" arbor or other structure for my now big "non-flowering" wisteria, but I guess I'm lucky with all the chain link fencing I already have, that I could plant plenty of clematis there and could cover my fence in them. I guess our palate is somewhat limited as for climbing "exotic" vines here, and some I've already found not to be that fond of , even though one in particular will eventually try to take over the entire fence the way it's growing the past couple of years, and of course try to "choke out" my poor struggling Ramona. The vine in question is "Porcelain Vine" and I do like the berries , but find the flowers very "ho mum". The Ampelopsis! The unfortunate thing with that particular one , was that it had the added interest of having the variegated leaves on that particular cultivar, but after a few years it's reverted back to solid green leaves. Oh well, but I will try to think of more "exotic" ones that might fit the bill for you! Should be somewhat easy , considering your somewhat mild winters??

[moonbaby]

:D :lol: :D You are up to your eyeballs in clematis! :wub: Not a bad way to go!

[erdine]

:lol: we need photos.

[mla2ofus]

Poor Rich, I would love to be in your position.

[SilenceOfTheClams]

:lol: :lol: :lol: It will be interesting to SEE Rich..... more square feet dedicated to vertical gardening than horizontal!!!!! LMAO! :lol: :lol: :lol:
You crossed our minds while we were at TropiFlora Nursery in Sarasota when we saw THESE big honking chunks of driftwood... they make great verical gardening surfaces! :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/SilenceOfTheClams/BSPosts/DriftwoodWeb.jpg

I've planted my clematis too close to the pond.... have to fish out the little "gifts" shed by that over zealous clematis on a daily basis!
Pass my "CONGRATULATIONS" onto DW!!!! How NICE!!!!!

[Comtessa]

Such a problem to have - too many clematis! Have you thought of planting them next to trees and letting them climb in the branches? That works well for me.

The driftwood for vertical gardening looks like a great idea!

[grindle]

I could never have too many clematis I just love them

[Rich]

I could never have too many clematis I just love them

I'm coming over to Taunton with DW in August. I'll bear that in mind. :blink:

[grindle]

:D :D :D , (:unsure: not going to the Taunton Flower Show by any chance are you)

[eujaro]

okay clematis people may I ask how do you get tem to bloom I have had them for 2 years now. It's just foilage and no blooms not even one :( by the way Its a jackmanii I hope I spelled it right I didn't prune last year cause it only grew one foot. HELP!!

[Rich]

Grindle, we're just stopping over on a Friday night on our way to the Eden Project.

Eujaro, All I know is that they like lots of sun and roots in the shade, also they should be planted lower than they are in the pot. Sounds like yours cound do with a feed, possibly.

[grindle]

Enjoy the trip, I'm hoping to get there in September, let me know if it's worth the journey.

Eujaro try giving it a dose of tomato feed :rolleyes:

[pnace1839]

That's hillarious! :lol: Mostly because I was just looking for my very own clematis and was having no luck. Might have to sneak across the pond there and help myself to som of yours. :ph34r:

[Arkie111]

:lol: Rich, Such a problem you have--Too many clematis!! There is no such
thing. I have 8 and will take on more. I went to discount stores and bought
Metal trellis' for 9.95 a piece.
Eujaro, I don't know why your jackamantii isn't blooming. Sometimes the lst
year depending on when they are planted they don't bloom, but they should the
2nd year and do so even more every year there on. Are you keeping them
well mulched? My jackamantii is 2 yrs old didn't bloom at all last year when
I planted it--but had a lot of blooms this year.
I don't prune or cut back any of mine. I know they tell you that they need
to be pruned according to when they bloom. I'm either too stupid or too lazy
to keep track of that. So I just leave my babies alone --and they seem to
me doing fine.
Good luck.
And Rich, be happy to take any of those troublesome Clematis off your hands.

[eujaro]

Thanks guys I think I'll ask my mother for some tomatoe food. the clemattis is under a small tree (10ft) do you think it will ever bloom there? if not isn't the clematis one of those plants that don't like to be disturbed? would it be safe to move them? :unsure: