January 27, 2019 at 5:21 pm (clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis napaulensis
This is the winter-blooming clematis I posted about on December 2 when I realized it had a bunch of buds for the first time. Check out my earlier post to find out more about C. napaulensis. I have been waiting to see it put on a show for seven years! Twice it’s pushed out a flower or two, but now a plethora of small delicate blooms are definitely strutting their stuff in a gloomy and cold Seattle January.
December 9, 2018 at 1:55 pm (clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis Betty Corning, clematis caroline, Clematis Climador, clematis crystal fountain, Clematis Etoile Violette, clematis fairy blue, clematis florida sieboldii, Clematis Fond Memories, Clematis Fujimusume, Clematis Koenigskind, Clematis Lord Hershel, Clematis Morning Mist, Clematis Perle d'Azur, Clematis Polish Spirit, Clematis Princess Red, Clematis Proteus, Clematis recta Purpurea, Clematis Tartu, Clematis texensis seedling, clematis the first lady, Clematis Vyvyan Pennell
June in my garden offered a plethora of colorful, diverse, and interesting clematis, including the last of the large-flowered bloomers, early blossoms from July bloomers, and three beautiful clematis bell flowers, two of which are home-grown seedlings of the dainty scarlet bells of Clematis texensis.
December 2, 2018 at 5:32 pm (clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis cirrhosa 'Freckles', Clematis napaulensis, Winter Blooming Clematis
My Clematis napaulensis, a species clematis that is one of the few winter bloomers in the genus, is loaded with flower buds! WAHOOO! This plant is wintergreen rather than evergreen, pushing out fresh new apple green leaves in October, then blooming in January and February. By summer it looks exactly like dead sticks, so masking it with a summer-blooming vine is wise.
C. napaulensis has graced the arbor on the north side of my house for about seven years now. During that time this recalcitrant plant has bloomed only twice with just two or three flowers, once in January 2015 and again in 2017. I’ve often wondered whether it’s in too much shade, but unfortunately not much information is available about what conditions this plant really wants. Ah, but, lo and behold, now in late 2018–tons of buds! I am so excited! I can hardly wait til they open in January!
C. cirrhosa ‘Freckles’, a reliable winter bloomer in my garden, started showing off about a month ago. Actually, it blooms sporadically throughout the year, but really begins to swagger this time of year. Looking carefully at the flowers, one can easily tell that C. ‘Freckles’ and C. napaulensis are kissing cousins!
April 23, 2017 at 7:49 pm (Clematis of the Month, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis alpina, Clematis Blue Dancer, Clematis Cecile, Clematis Jacqueline du Pre, Clematis koreana, Clematis macropetala, clematis markhams pink, Clematis Pauline, Clematis Willy, joy creek nursery
Seattle has been drowning, drenching, and dripping for the past three months. Most days, staying reasonably dry while working in the garden has not been possible. Nevertheless, the garden is burgeoning, and the Clematis atragenes have begun to bloom. These are early spring bloomers have delightful nodding bells in many soft colors and delicate foliage. Included among the C. atragenes are C. alpinas (usually single), C. macropetalas (usually double), and C. koreanas.
I have sadly lost three of my six atragenes, C. Jacqueline du Pre (a crisp and lovely pink and white alpina), C. Cecile (a delightful blue-purple alpina), and C. Pauline (a richly colored purple macropetala). Hrmph! Maurice Horn of Joy Creek Nursery told me that he fears that the warmer weather of recent years in the Pacific Northwest has taken a toll on these cold-hardy plants. We may start having trouble growing them here. The three I lost were all against the house; the three I have left are all in the open garden, which is presumably a bit cooler, at least in winter. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
Hmm, maybe I should buy more just for testing purposes.
In my garden, the first to bloom (as usual) is C. Blue Dancer with its extra long sepals.
Here’s the luscious and rosy C. Markham’s Pink, just beginning its show. I also have C. Willy, another pink and white one, but his buds are still tightly closed.
May 23, 2016 at 5:29 pm (Clematis of the Month, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: clematis caroline, clematis cezanne, Clematis Climador, clematis crystal fountain, Clematis Fireworks, Clematis Fujimusume, Clematis Josephine, Clematis Lord Herschell, clematis louise rowe, Clematis Morning Mist, Clematis Ramona, clematis rebecca, clematis rhapsody, clematis the first lady, Clematis Utopia, Clematis Vyvyan Pennell
So many of the large-flowered clematis in my garden are blooming extremely early this year, as much as six – eight weeks ahead of schedule. But whenever they choose to bloom, they look wonderful!
During my frequent strolls through the garden, I enjoy observing clematis in all their various stages–and, yes, sometimes I even talk to them. This spring, Clematis ‘The First Lady’ talked back loudly, showing herself off to great advantage. I purchased this clematis two or three years ago as Clematis ‘Rhapsody’, a clematis for which I had been hankering for some time. Once I saw the first meager bloom, I knew I had purchased a misnamed plant. But not until this year, when the poor clematis had built up enough strength to drag itself up out of the heavy shade of a big Fatshedera into the sunshine, did I really see what a gorgeous flower my mistake clematis produced–large lavender blooms (one flower actually measured 9 inches in diameter!), with contrasting burgundy stamens, ruffled edges, and textual ridges in the middle of each pointed petal. Elegantissimo! I was able to identify it as Clematis ‘The First Lady’ and seriously considered deeming this tough and beautiful plant Clematis of the Month for this month.
Serendipitously, yesterday my yoga teacher described to me a clematis a friend gave her as a cut flower. She has a fine eye for detail, so I was able to identify her unseen clematis from her description as Clematis ‘The First Lady.’ I showed her a photo on my smart phone to be sure and impressed both her and myself with my quick ID. That clinched it–Clematis ‘The First Lady’ is Clematis of the Month for May in my garden this year!
Clematis ‘The First Lady’ is an American clematis introduced into commerce by Arthur Steffen in Long Island, New York, in 1989. Mr. Steffen’s company is also responsible for introducing, in 1932, another gorgeous and famous American clematis, now grown throughout the world, Clematis Betty Corning. The beauty of the name of May’s Clematis of the Month is that you can choose your own favorite First Lady to be represented by this clematis. I know who mine is!
Below is a smattering of the many other worthy candidates blooming in my garden this month.
The satiny blooms of Clematis Louise Rowe
Clematis Rebecca
Clematis Ramona (lavender) with Clematis Marta
The ever-stunning Clematis Josephine
Clematis Cezanne
Clematis Fireworks
Clematis Utopia
Clematis Fujimusume–such a gorgeous blue!
Clematis Morning Mist–one of these blossoms measured 10 inches!
Clematis Climador (also known as Clematis Königskind)
Clematis Caroline (pink) with Clematis Vyvyan Pennell
Clematis Lord Herschell
The bells of Clematis Sonnette (also known as Clematis Peveril Peach)
Clematis Crystal Fountain (also known as Clematis Fairy Blue)
May 2, 2016 at 2:48 pm (Clematis of the Month, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis Asao, clematis crystal fountain, Clematis Fair Rosamond, clematis guernsey cream, Clematis Josephine, Clematis Kahori no Kimi, clematis louise rowe, Clematis montana Vera, Clematis recta Purpurea, Clematis Will Baron
For the third year in a row here in Seattle, we have had the mixed blessing of a mild winter and warm spring–causing most clematis to bloom a full month early! Except for Clematis montana ‘Vera’, C. ‘Asao’ and all the clematis below would normally bloom for me in late May and early June, rather than in April.
In my garden, C. ‘Asao’ is the Clematis of the Month for April because of its stalwartness, as well as its beauty. Since this clematis supposedly blooms on old wood, conventional clematis wisdom says that we should not prune it until spring, and then only lightly. Well, the problem for me was that I planted C. ‘Asao’ in two large window boxes on either side of the front door. In winter, they are downright ugly with big crusty, rusty brown leaves . Yuch. So a few years ago, I worked hard to dig them out and replaced them with plants that bloom on new wood and can therefore be cut back in the fall, at least they can be in the Seattle area. Unfortunately, the two replacements, C. ‘Parisienne’ on one side and C. ‘Justa’ on the other, didn’t stand a chance. ‘Asao’ may have been down, but not out for the count. Both specimens slowly came back from a few stray roots I didn’t clear away and crowded out their replacements. Hrmph. I ruthlessly cut them back every fall anyway and guess what! They grow fast and bloom beautifully with single and semi-double flowers right on time–and they do it on new wood! Go figure.
More April-Blooming Clematis
Clematis montana ‘Vera’ blooming 40′ up in an 80′ Port Orford Cedar. Due to scads of April sun, blossoms are nearly white rather than the more usual pink.
Clematis ‘Guernsey Cream’, always the first large-flowered clematis to show off in my garden, is such a welcome sight after the winter doldrums.
Clematis ‘Will Baron’ invariably follows close on the heels of C. ‘Guernsey Cream’.
Poor Clematis ‘Fair Rosamond’ had to be unceremoniously removed from her climbing structure in March due to a tree fall. Never fear, no people or pets were harmed, damage was mainly superficial, and insurance covered it all! In spite of the ill treatment, C. ‘Fair Rosamond’ bloomed beautifully, draped over a nearby plant and lounging on the ground. She’ll be returned to her usual spot after she finishes blooming.
And then there is the show-stopping Clematis ‘Josephine’. Her blossoms speak for themselves.
Clematis ‘Crystal Fountain’ just opening its first bloom.
First dainty bell on Clematis ‘Kahori no kimi’.
Clematis ‘Louise Rowe’ always seems to have a special glow, whether pale lavender or sun-faded white.
The fabulous rich purple of the leaves and stems of Clematis recta ‘Purpurea’. And check out the juicy buds about to burst into tiny white and fragrant flowers.
Stay tuned, because many, many clematis buds are swelling, elongating, and titillating my spirits. I will have more and different beautiful clematis to show soon.
April 5, 2016 at 6:27 pm (Clematis of the Month, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis alpina, Clematis Blue Dancer, Clematis Cecile, Clematis macropetala, Clematis Maidenwell Hall, clematis markhams pink, Clematis Pauline, Clematis Willy
Finally, finally in late March I got my first clematis blossoms of the season! Whooo hooo! Four clematis alpinas and macropetalas in my garden have opened their beautiful blooms! Clematis macropetala Maidenwell Hall gets the prize for March this year because this poor young plant got such a shaky start. While visiting a nursery north of Seattle in the Skagit Valley in the heat of August, my friends and I found a 90% off table. Lo and behold, there was a clematis there looking hot, dusty, and bedraggled. A friend spotted C. Maidenwell Hall first, but she kindly allowed me to purchase the plant. The plant obviously appreciated coming to a caring home, because it has most definitely perked up. It’s off to such a good start that I will be able to give my friend some cuttings! Here’s another shot taken in warm early morning light, which drew out the more purple tones.
Clematis alpinas and macropetalas (also called alpine clematis) are among the first of the clematis clan to bloom in the spring. Their dainty bells, dangling among the delicate serrated leaves, signal the beginning of the long and continuous slide show of clematis blossoms that lasts into the winter. Alpine clematis particularly enjoy growing in deciduous shade where they can soak up the warmth on sunny spring days, but later be sheltered from hot summer sun by the tree’s leaves. These clematis, which grow to about 12-15′ or more, come in blues, purples, lavenders, pinks, and whites and are said to be hardy to Zone 3. They rarely need pruning (unlike their more unruly late-spring and summer-blooming cousins). The difference between Clematis alpina and Clematis macropetala is that the alpinas usually have only four tepals, or petals, while the macropetalas are double or semi-double. Because of much cross-hybridizing, though, sometimes the distinction is a bit hazy.
Below are photos of the other three alpinas and macropetalas blooming in my garden. Two more, Clematis alpina Willy and Clematis macropetala Cecile, are a bit shy to bloom so far this year.
Here’s Clematis alpina Blue Dancer (a former winner of Clematis of the Month). It sports particularly long tepals.
Next up, Clematis macropetala Markham’s Pink, one of the most beautiful pink ones.
And finally we have Clematis macropetala Pauline, with rich blue and purple colors.
February 18, 2016 at 12:18 am (Buying Clematis, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: 2016 Northwest Flower and Garden Show, Clematis 'Alionushka', Clematis 'Astra Nova', Clematis 'Rosalyn', Clematis 'Westerplatte', Clematis durandii, clematis etoile de malicorne, Clematis integrifolia Alba, Clematis Princess Diana, clematis rebecca, Clematis Ruutel
My very most favorite Display Garden at the Show–West Seattle Nursery’s south west desert. It literally stopped me in my tracks–I love it!!
Opening day for the renowned Northwest Flower & Garden Show was today, and I was there! This Seattle show is the 2nd largest flower show in the US and 3rd in the world (after the Philadelphia and Chelsea Flower Shows)! I wandered around all day in bliss, soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells of blooming gardens, visiting with gardening friends, and listening to three delightful talks!
The Big Winner among Display Gardens–The Grant Tetons
TWEET-UP
Since seeing everything in one day is completely impossible, I will return tomorrow to make sure I don’t miss anything. I will start at 7:30am at the Flower Show’s Tweet-Up for Twitter users who sign up ahead of time. We get treated to coffee, pastries, and a great swag bag. THEN we get to photograph the Display Gardens for nearly 1 1/2 before the public arrives and with all the lights still on. Can’t wait!
I’M SPEAKING ON FRIDAY, 6:45PM!
Then I come again on Friday! If you are in the Greater Seattle area and have the time and inclination, come hear me speak on Friday, 2/19, at 6:45pm in the Hood Room. I will be talking about Growing Clematis in Small Spaces and showing inspiring photos of small clematis. I’d love to see you there!
CLEMATIS AT THE SHOW
Monrovia Booth
I have much exploring yet to do, but I have already spied clematis! Clematis REBECCA is blooming away in the Monrovia Booth (and they have plants for sale, too). Click link to get more details about this clematis.
The delightful and delectable Clematis REBECCA at the Monrovia Booth.
Sundquist Nursery in the Plant Market
Sundquist Nursery has nine (count ’em, nine!!) different clematis for sale at their booth! I don’t even have four of them. Funny thing, I found those four clematis in my backpack when I got home. I’ve NO IDEA how that happened!
A big note of caution, though. These plants are very young rooted cuttings, packed bare root. If you purchase one (I think they are about $12), please plant it in a smallish pot ASAP, keep it watered very well, maybe even once a day until you see new growth, then water normally (i.e., when the top inch or so of soil dries up a bit). Because they are so young, grow them on in pots, potting up to a larger size once or twice, for at least a year. Very young clematis planted directly in the ground often just melt away, never to be seen again.
Starting from top left, the Sundquist clematis are:
C. durandii
C. ‘Ruutel’ *
C. integrifolia ‘Alba’ (white)
C. ‘Rosalyn’ *
C. ‘Astra Nova’ *
C. ‘Alionushka’
C. ‘Westerplatte’ *
C. ‘Etoile de Malicorne’
C. ‘Princess Diana’
*These clematis showed up at my house somehow.
Clicking on a clematis above will take you to great information and a photo of that clematis on Clematis on the Web.
So come on down to the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and see the display gardens, shop at the three large market places (including the plant market and the Vintage Market), and listen to one or two of the 100 speakers at the show! Maybe I’ll see you there.
January 30, 2016 at 6:43 pm (clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis Betty Corning, Clematis Buckland Beauty, clematis crispa, clematis duchess of albany, Clematis Hakuji, Clematis Kahori no Kimi, Clematis Princess Diana, Clematis Princess Kate, Clematis Princess Red, Clematis Shizuku, Clematis Sonnette, Clematis texensis, Clematis viorna
Clematis ‘Buckland Beauty’–beautiful bell flowers inherited from Clematis texensis.
Gardeners who have a nodding acquaintance with clematis are often only aware of the big beautiful heart-stopping, jaw-dropping blossoms of late spring. As one becomes more and more enamored with clematis and delves deeper into the genus, the dainty beauty and wide variety of the bell-shaped flowers are the ones that captivate.
The southeastern US is a breeding ground for many bell-flowered clematis species, which have long been widely used by hybridizers to create lovely new plants. Clematis ‘Buckland Beauty’ above, for example, is the result of a cross between Clematis texensis (a red bell-flowered species from Texas) and one of the other species.
The Texensis Clan
In my last post, I described Clematis texensis and some of its progeny. The species, which grows in Texas, is variable. The flowers tend to have a downward-facing bell shape, usually with recurved tips, sometimes lined with white or yellow. The inside of the tepals can be various shades of red, yellow, or white.
A lovely red Clematis texensis with white accents
A Clematis texensis seedling with reddish-purple outer tepals, white on edges and the underside
Here’s another, a bit pinker with a shorter flower.
Hybridizers discovered the wonderful red of Clematis texensis (also called the Scarlet Clematis) in the late 1800s, and still today exciting new hybrids come onto the market. Crossing Clematis texensis with other types of clematis has resulted in an astonishing variety of new and beautiful plants, such as flatter blossoms of Clematis ‘Ville de Lyon’ and Clematis ‘Catherine Clanwilliam’ showcased in my last post. Of course, many of the progeny have bell-shaped blossoms, like the aforementioned Clematis ‘Buckland Beauty’ and the following lovely offspring of this interesting species.
Clematis Sonnette climbing through a variegated Azara.
Clematis ‘Duchess of Albany’, hybridized using C. texensis 125 years ago!
The beautiful Clematis ‘Princess Diana’
Clematis Princess Kate ‘Zoprika’, one of the newest texensis hybrids coming from J. van Zoest Nursery in The Netherlands. Photo from J. van Zoest Nursery.
The Crispas
Clematis crispa is another American species, native in the southeastern US. This sweet small bell flower often has tepals that curl strongly back on themselves. It comes in many soft colors–white, light blue, mauve, pink. The crowning glory for this clematis is its beautiful light fragrance.
One form of Clematis crispa
Clematis ‘Betty Corning’, discovered growing in a garden in Albany, is clearly a Clematis crispa seedling, especially given its delightful fragrance.
Clematis ‘Princess Red’ certainly looks to be a Clematis crispa hybrid, but the color suggests that Clematis texensis might be the other parent!
The Viornas
Clematis viorna, like C. crispa and C. texensis, is one of over 20 species that are native to the southeastern US and Texas, which are all grouped together in the viorna section of the genus clematis. Clematis viorna is just one of the many clematis in the viorna section. It has flowers in the shape of small bells or urns that come in colors like red, pink, reddish brown, and purple. Many plants sold as the species may actually be hybrids of Clematis viorna and another clematis in the larger viorna clan.
One of my two Clematis viorna. This one pairs beautifully with Beauty Berry!
A different Clematis viorna looking adorable on my fence
Japanese Hybrids
Many interesting clematis with bell-shaped flowers have been coming out of Japan for many years. Joy Creek Nursery is a good source for Japanese clematis. Below are three examples.
The fragrant Clematis Kahori no Kimi–perhaps Clematis crispa is a parent?
Clematis Hakuji–another Clematis crispa descendent?
Clematis Shizuku–looking a little viorna-like?
The best sources I’ve found for bell flowers are Brushwood Nursery and Joy Creek Nursery. So, come on–get one of these dainty-blossomed clematis for your very own!
September 1, 2015 at 5:43 pm (Clematis of the Month, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis Etiole Violette, Clematis Fair Rosamund, clematis guernsey cream, Clematis Will Baron
June Clematis of the Month:
C. Etoile Violette
Seattle’s unusually long warm spring propelled all my clematis, as well as most of my other garden plants, into bloom a full month early this year–starting in March and continuing through April and May. And then June was no different! The usual stars in my June garden are early large-flowered clematis like C. Will Baron, C. Fair Rosamond, and C. Guernsey Cream. But this year they had all put on their show in May and were devoid of blooms in June.
Fortunately, though, there was no dearth of clematis in my June garden–the July bloomers came to the rescue! An excellent case in point is Clematis of the Month for June, C. Etoile Violette. This 10-year-old plant, which gracefully drapes itself over and through a dying Italian plum tree in the middle of my garden, had more blooms this year than ever before. I guesstimated over 1,000 blooms all at one time in mid-June. Check out the photos below, taken on June 13, of C. Etoile Violette from all sides.
C. Etiole Violette, South Side
C. Etoile Violette, West Side
C. Etoile Violette, East Side
C. Etoile Violette, North Side
Clematis in Seattle 