Hi all. With this column I am celebrating my fourth anniversary writing garden columns for Positively Feminine. Yes, that’s right. My first column Garden Chocolates appeared here in August 2006.

Today I present Clematis, which you can pronounce CLEM-a-tis, Clem-ah-tis or Clem-A-tis, and each of these pronunciations are correct. Whichever way we say it, these flowering vines are truly the queens of climbers. Flowers are big and bold and have a range of color from white to crimson and heavenly blue. All the varieties I describe here flourish in full sun, with one exception that prefers shade.

For the sheer perfection of its true blue flowers my favorite is “Will Goodwin” [in photo at right] with its blue petals and a center of golden stamens. The flowers reach 6 to 8 inches across and bloom from June to September on 8 to 12 foot vines. Group 2. Zones 5-9.

A unique evergreen variety is “Armandii” which has thick clusters of highly fragrant two inch across white flowers in spring on vines that reach 15 to 20 feet. Zones 7-9.

“Franzsiska Marie” has azure flowers which are unmatched in flower size and length of bloom time. The 4 to 6 inch flowers are double and bloom for four months. Group 2. Zones 4-9.

The flowers of “Crystal Fountain” are outstanding, with lavender blue outer petals and pointy white/lime center petals that create a mound in the center. This clematis has 4 to 5 inch flowers and blooms in late spring. Group 2. Zones 4-9.

“Ville de Lyon” [in photo to the left] is known for its 5 to 6 inch carmine flowers with golden stamens, which grow on 10 to 12 foot vines from June to September. Group 1. Zones 4-9.

Clematis “Roguchi” has masses of fragrant 2 to 3 inch bell shaped intense deep blue/purple flowers which bloom from early summer to early fall. It will grow on a trellis or fence or can be left to ramble over the ground. This Clematis grows in shade or sun. Group 3. Zones 4-9.

Before you plant a clematis, dig a hole 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide and work in compost. Set the plant so that the first two sets of leaf nodes are underground. Don’t overfeed, once a year fertilize with a 10-10-10 food. Clematis thrive in sun, and cool the roots by planting low plants at the base, or mulch with 8 inch deep mulch kept 4 inches away from the stems.

Pruning is important and you need to know which of the 3 groups you are dealing with. Group 1 blooms in spring and you prune after bloom. These don’t need regular pruning but prune if they get leggy or too large. Group 2 blooms in early summer, and you prune in February or March, cutting off 6 to 8 inches to a pair of strong buds. Group 3 blooms in summer and fall, and you prune annually in March to 12 to 24 inches from the ground.

Copyright © by Terra Hangen

Photo Credits: from Wikimedia.org, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 Unported and 2.5 Generic License. "Integrifolia" (top photo) by Kenpei. "Will Goodwiny" by Quadell. "Ville de Lyon" by Darkone. Share