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.
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.
May 24, 2013 at 4:34 pm (Buying Clematis, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Cistus Nursery, Clematis Asao, clematis crystal fountain, Clematis Fair Rosamond, clematis fairy blue, Clematis Garden Tour, clematis guernsey cream, Clematis Josephine, Clematis Will Baron, joy creek nursery, Rogerson Clematis Collection
I know it’s late notice, but . . .
Clematis Garden Tour in Portland!
When: Saturday, May 25, 10am – 4pm
Where: five gardens in SW Portland, as well as the Rogerson Clematis Collection’s clematis display gardens and nursery nearby at Luscher Farm in Lake Oswego.
Fee: $20
Click here for more info, including how to get tickets.
I am so sorry that I didn’t tell you all sooner about this! My life has been crazy lately.
I attend the fabulous Rogerson Clematis tour every year — it’s always on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. Attendees see gorgeous gardens that demonstrate how to use clematis effectively in home garden situations. Plus the Rogerson Clematis Collection (in Lake Oswego, just south of Portland) will be selling clematis — and, believe me, they have some unusual ones! One of the gardens will also be selling plants. And, if you have time, both Joy Creek Nursery and Cistus Nursery are nearby.
So if you don’t have anything planned for Saturday, make it a day trip, or even stay overnight in Portland. I am!!
Clematis Blooming in My Garden
Clematis Guernsey Cream
Clematis montana Vera — 40′ up a 90′ Port Orford Cedar!
Clematis Will Baron with Rosa mutabilus
Clematis Crystal Fountain, aka Clematis Fairy Blue
Clematis Josephine, just opening
Clematis Fair Rosamond
Clematis Asao
February 15, 2013 at 9:08 pm (Buying Clematis, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Brushwood Nursery, clematis crystal fountain, clematis fairy blue, clematis rebecca, Clematis viorna
Now let’s turn to the third, but most definitely not the least, of my three favorite mail-order nurseries for clematis, Brushwood Nursery. Brushwood is all about vines–climbing roses, passion flowers, trumpet vines, honeysuckles, and loads of — you got it — CLEMATIS!
Dan Long, proprietor of Brushwood Nursery and a member of the International Clematis Society, has connections throughout the world that allow him to offer a wide variety of large-flowered, small-flowered, and non-vining clematis. He offers over 350 varieties, though many are already unavailable until he replenishes his stock. But many others are currently on sale!! In my experience, plants ordered from Brushwood take off and grow well. Once of my personal favorites from Brushwood is my huge species clematis, Clematis viorna (huge as in big plant — flowers are only about an inch long). Its blooms are dainty though sturdy little bells with pert tips that recurve like a jester’s belled slippers. I planted this lavendar and white clematis to grow through a Calicarpa (Beauty Berry). It starts blooming in July and continues to bloom until the beauty berry produces its delicate and lovely lavendar berries. The two look wonderful together. Argh! I haven’t taken an aceptable photo of the pairing yet.
Two of the many beautiful and unusual clematis Dan offers include Clematis Crystal Fountain (also known as Clematis Fairy Blue’), which is a lovely double, and Clematis Rebecca, one of the most beautiful of red clematis. Photos below.
Clematis Crystal Fountain (aka Fairy Blue)
Clematis Rebecca
Clematis in Seattle 