Crazy
Clematis
Jackmanii
Rouge Cardinal
Beauty of Worcester |
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Every generation develops its
own word to convey a strong expression of pleasure
or approval. “Cool” may actually have served two
generations—one in the 1950’s and another in the
1990’s—although in the 1990’s incarnation it was
properly spoken with a different inflection than in
its earlier use. There was “neat”, sometimes
expressed as “neato” for added effect---perhaps the
“lamest” of them all. “Awesome” had a good run in
the late 70’s and early 80’s, but it grated on my
nerves because it was usually used to describe
circumstances that weren’t really all that awesome.
“Bad” took a little getting used to because it
really meant good. “Phat” I never did quite
understand, but by then perhaps I was old enough
that I wasn’t supposed to. Which brings us to what,
if I understand correctly, is the current word of
choice—“Crazy”.
To illustrate, I’ll use it in a
sentence for you.
Those clematis are
crazy flowers.
Clematis are perhaps the best
kept flower secret in Wyobraska. They are
vigorously growing vines that produce spectacular
flower displays. Clematis seem to have suffered
under a general misperception that they are not
sufficiently hardy or soil adaptable to grow in
Wyobraska. I know that I have had a number of very
earnest “experts” tell me that only a few of the
most hardy clematis will grow here, but my
experience and that of many area gardeners has been
just the opposite—that a large number of clematis
not only grow here, but seem to thrive. In my
opinion the species has shown sufficient
adaptability to Wyobraska’s climate and soils to
suggest that local gardeners should feel free to
experiment with almost any of the several hundred
clematis cultivars that are now sold in garden
centers and gardening catalogues.
Native clematis are found in
the temperate zones of all of the continents of the
northern hemisphere. They appear to have been first
brought into cultivation in Europe, and much of the
initial hybridization was done in England during the
Victorian era. That hybridization produced many of
the hybrids that are still widely grown today.
However the growing interest in clematis by
contemporary gardeners is generating a new wave of
hybridization and there will undoubtedly be an even
wider choice of clematis flowers and foliage to
choose from in coming years.
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There may be no gardening sight
quite so impressive as a fully grown clematis in
bloom. Flowers vary in size from 1-2” in diameter
to 4-6”. An establish plant can be covered with
literally hundreds of flowers. Flower colors tend
to be concentrated in the pink to purple range,
although white, red, blue, and yellow varieties are
available. The primary flower season of the
species is late spring to early summer, but there
are some mid-late summer flowering cultivars now
available.
Mature plant size also varies
widely. The range in size is from 4 feet to 10 feet
or taller. Many of the type that are currently
grown in Wyobraska are among the taller varieties,
and a number of local gardeners now boast 8-10 foot
specimens.
Clematis are relatively easy to
grow. They appear to be quite soil adaptable, but
like most plants prefer a well drained, organic
soil. The commonly cited rule for growing clematis
is to plant their roots in the shade, but have their
leaves in the sun. This appears to be good advice,
but some clematis experts suggest that clematis are
full sun plants that grow best in consistently moist
soil. I suggest that you plant your clematis where
it gets at least 4 hours per day of full sun, mulch
it well, and water it regularly (or make sure it is
covered by your drip system). Clematis are heavy
feeders and some supplemental fertilization is
universally recommended.
Some clematis flower on the
previous year’s stems, and others flower on new
growth. Most of the varieties that are widely grown
in American gardens, and which are widely sold in
America, are those which flower on new growth.
Those which flower on new growth tend to be vigorous
growers and also appear to benefit from being
severely pruned each spring. Because they are a
vine, clematis are most effective when grown on some
sort of trellis. Freestanding pyramidal trellises
allow clematis to be grown in the center of a
garden. In some areas of the country, clematis are
a popular “mailbox” flower, with homeowners using a
trellis as a mailbox stand. Medium to tall shrubs
can also be used to support and display clematis.
Several viburnums work well as clematis trellises,
for example.
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