Contents:
- Cutting calendar and flowering season
- ABC of planting clematis
- Supporting the clematis
- Clematis varieties
Cutting calendar and flowering season
Clematis are divided into three groups, starting with their flowering time and the resulting pruning date. Some clematis (e.g. alpine and mountain clematis) bloom in early spring from buds formed in the past year. If we prune them (in fall or winter), flowering will be poor. Therefore their shoots either do not shorten at all, or only after flowering (in May, June).These clematis are included in group 1. Other clematis bloom later, in early June. Flowers appear on this year's shoots.
These shrubs are pruned in late autumn, more or less by half. Every 4-5 years it is worth making a strong rejuvenating cut. These clematis are included in group 2. The last group consists of clematis blooming in the second half of June and July. They bloom on one-year shoots, therefore, woody shoots need to be trimmed to a height of 20-50 cm in late autumn.The above shows that the cut date is closely related to the flowering date.If you do not know which variety you have, you need to carefully observe the development of flowers.
Each newly planted bush should be trimmed, even at the cost of less flowering in the next year.Shoots are cut in November or December to a height of 20-30 centimeters.
ABC of planting clematis
Clematis are sold in containers and theoretically can be planted all year round. Experience shows, however, that the best date is late summer (August, October), because then the soil has a very good temperature at the level of 14-22 ° C.The seedlings are planted in a hole with a diameter approximately twice as large as the diameter the root ball.
The best places are located in partial shade, in a loose, humus ground. After planting, cover the soil around the roots with bedding made of grit or shredded bark. Thanks to this, the substrate will not dry out and weeds will not grow so quickly.The role of mulch can be played by turf plants.
Clematis for containers
Long-flowering dwarf varieties can be recommended for balcony and terrace cultivation.Plant clematis in spring. The container should have a capacity of at least 20 liters. For cultivation we use good quality soil for flowers. Pots should be equipped with a water drainage hole and a support for shoots.Most Clematis can be hibernated in pots without cover.
Supporting the clematis
Clematis supports can be made of various materials, depending on the growth strength of a particular variety. Climates are light climbers, so they can also be led on structures made of light and less durable materials, e.g. wicker or bamboo.The column shown in the photo is made of metal and it is only one of many available models.Metal is also used to produce the so-called obelisks, pavilions and gazebos.
Metal is a material that is cold to the touch, but so far it has not been observed to have any negative effects on plant he alth and development.Undoubtedly, the warmer material is wood, probably the most commonly used for building supports. If the rack is to be mounted on the wall, remember to keep approx.10 cm distance (between the support and the wall) so that the plants can breathe.
Beautifully flowering new clematis varieties
1. 'Purpur Koenigskind' blooms at the turn of May and June, and later in September.
2. 'Sparkler' blooms in white at the turn of May / June and August / September.
3. Clematis koreana 'Blue eclipse' blooms in May and June, and then in July and August. This clematis feels best in a dry position.
4. 'Joan Sandeman Allen' has full flowers and blooms in May / June, August / September.
5. Clematis integrifolia 'Saphyra Double Rose' is the first bicolor variety with large flowers blooming from June to September.
6. 'Flamenco Dancer' blooms in May / June, August / September.
7. Clematis texensis 'Maxima' blooms from June to October.
It is difficult to give the exact number of known and cultivated clematis in the world, conservative estimates say about several thousand, of which only a few hundred are grown in home gardens.Poles, especially Władysław Noll, Stefan Franczak and Szczepan Marczyński, make a significant contribution to the breeding of clematis. The world elite includes such varieties as 'Niobe', 'Generał Sikorski', 'Warsaw Nike'.
