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)
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June 10, 2015 at 5:28 pm (Clematis of the Month, clematisinseattle, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis CEZANNE 'Evipo 23', Clematis Etoile Violette, Clematis Fair Rosamond, Clematis Fond Memories, Clematis JOSEPHINE 'Evijohill', clematis louise rowe, Clematis Omoshiro, Clematis Proteus, Clematis recta Purpurea, Clematis Tartu, Clematis Utopia
May’s Winner
May Winner–Clematis CEZANNE adorning an oversized windowbox.
Choosing just one May winner this year was no easy task because many lovely clematis gracefully embellished my garden throughout the month. After much consideration, the clematis I chose to take the prize is Clematis CEZANNE, with it’s big cluster of blue(ish) satiny flowers, draped over the edge of my windowbox. This clematis, bred by clematis hybridizer Raymond Evison as a Patio Clematis, has a smaller root system than most clematis, making it perfect for a pot or, in my case, a large windowbox. Patio Clematis bloom in several flushes throughout the summer, especially when deadheaded or cut back after each flush dies down. Pruning is easy–just cut them back hard in late winter (even late fall in milder climates like Seattle).
May’s Runners Up
The runners up in May are no slouches. Check them out!
The delectable double blossoms of Clematis JOSEPHINE.
The glamorous Clematis Etiole de Malicorne
Already the first blooms of Clematis Etoile Violette, which normally blooms for me late June to early August!
Clematis Fair Rosamond gracing a doorway, this year with very strong pink bars, making it appear to favor Clematis Nellie Moser.
Clematis recta Purpurea, cascading down from its support and about to open its prolific and fragrant small flowers.
Clematis Proteus
Clematis Louise Rowe
Clematis Tartu made a comely comeback after wilting last year!
A slightly tattered Clematis Omoshiro (oh, those pesky slugs!).
Clematis Utopia, similar to Omoshiro above and to another lovely clematis I covet, Clematis Fond Memories (below)
Clematis Fond Memories (photo taken by me at the Rogerson Clematis Collection in Lake Oswego, Oregon). Sadly, this one does not yet grace my own garden.
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July 20, 2013 at 8:17 pm (clematisinseattle, International Clematis Conference 2013, Spotlight on Clematis)
Tags: Clematis Alba Plena, Clematis durundii, Clematis Fond Memories, Clematis Hagley Hybrid, Clematis integrifolia Alba, Clematis Minuet, Clematis Omoshiru, Clematis Pamia Serdtsa, Clematis Piluu, Clematis Princess Diana, Clematis Romantika, Clematis Royal Velours, Clematis tanguitica Golden Tiara, Clematis texensis, Clematis The President, Clematis Utopia, Clemtis florida Sieboldii, Erlabrunn, Heidelberg
Clematis in Germany & Holland, Part 1
Recently, in late June and early July, I was privileged to attend the 2013 conference of the International Clematis Society in southern Germany, mostly Bavaria, with about 60 other clematarians from around the world. What a fabulous time! And, oh, my heavens, such a plethora of beautiful clematis we saw — some of which are not yet available in the US.
Just prior to the conference, I took a little jaunt to Heidelberg where eons ago, when I was a sweet young thing, I attended the University of Heidelberg for two years. I didn’t see any clematis there this time around, but I enjoyed seeing the lovely old city again–still looking much the same after all these years (unlike myself).
Old Heidelberg
The Village of Erlabrunn
The International Clematis Conference began in the small and beautiful village of Erlabrunn just north of Wurzburg. Erlabrunn boasts about 200-300 inhabitants and is the home village of one of the organizers of this year’s conference, Klaus Korber. Klaus is a past president of the society and the current director of the nearby Orchard, Trees and Garden Department of the Bavarian State Institution for Wine-Growing and Horticulture (LWG for short). The village of Erlabrunn decked itself out in 800 clematis (planted in 2008) in honor of the 2013 visit of the International Clematis Society! Wunderbar!
Erlabrunn, a village with Clematis fever!
Bear with me as I show you photos of just a few of the 800 clematis on view as we strolled around the village. Please forgive the quality of some of the photos — we were often out and about in the heat of the day, which is definitely not the best time for photography!
Clematis Pamiat Serdtsa
Clematis Royal Velours
Unknown Erlabrunn Clematis
Clematis Alba Plena
Clematis integrifolia Alba
Clematis Piilu
Clematis florida Sieboldii
Unknown pale blue clematis
Another unknown clematis in a pot
Nice Pairing!
Clematis Princess Diana
Lavender clematis gracing a pot
Clematis Romantika
Clematis Utopia? or is it Clematis Omoshiru? or maybe Clematis Fond Memories? Whichever it is, I want all three.
Clematis Hagley Hybrid\
Clematis The President? with a peachy rose
Clematis durundii
LWG Welcome
LWG Display Gardens
We were also privileged to spend a day at the nearby LWG Display Gardens directed by Klaus Korber. We were treated like royalty–the staff readied and served great food and drink for us in the open-air greenhouse, and Klaus acted as MC, providing us with information about the gardens, their history, and his own love for clematis. The gardens are chock full of many carefully grown — and well-labelled — clematis, roses, and other perennials, as well as fruit and wine grapes. Cherries were dripping off the trees, and we were invited to eat as many as we wanted and, omg, were they ever DELICIOUS! I think I personally ate about a hundred.
Wonderful Table of Clematis Blossoms
But one of the best things that LWG did for us was to prepare a long narrow table full of small glass bud vases, each containing one flower from one of the clematis blooming in the garden. Throughout the afternoon at least a few of us were huddled around the table checking out the blooms. We had great fun comparing and contrasting the clematis and, of course, testing each other on clematis identification! Below are a few close-ups. Which ones can YOU identify?
Can YOU identify this one?
Or this one?
You’ve got some help with this one!
I will post Part 2 of my clematis trip to Europe very soon — stay tuned!!
Clematis in Seattle 