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Katie
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 04:56 pm EST : |   
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I don't mean to add to the "when to plant" debate but given the warm zone I am in I have been able to plant many clematis during the last 4 weeks. So far I have put 33 in the ground. Last winter during Dec-Jan I put 22 in and they did fine, I didn't lost a single one. Last year the temps here didn't go below 24 F (-4C). So far this year the temps have only gone down to 26F (-3C). It was predicted that this winter would be wet but warm. As long as the soil isn't too wet I feel I can put them in. For years I have divided and transplanted perennials all winter long. I figured this could apply to clematis also. Keep in mind that I cannot plant clematis from June through September because it is too hot. This weekend looks like another nice weekend so I'll get a few more in. I am running out of places......(sigh).
I really need to get my new pergola in. I hope to start this in January. It will be 8 ft wide and 24 ft long (walk-through) and will have posts every four feet. I plan on putting two clematis (like types) on each post.
Katie
- Northern California,
Zone "8"
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Kvilledude
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 05:54 pm EST : |
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Wow Kaite--33 in the last four weeks. That is amazing. I don't think that anyone is going to say that you are adding to the "when to plant" debate. It has been reasonably warm here so far this December and I would have planted out had I known that it was going to be so warm. I think when to plant really depends on your zone and there can't be hard and fast rules as to when to plant. It has to be individualized for your zone.
I too am wondering where to put clematis that I am adding to my spring purchase list. I am considering building some sort of structure to house my growing collection. It gets pretty bad when you only have 1/3 of an acre to begin with and that includes where the house sits, sidewalks, patios, driveways, etc. I have a poor tree out back that already had Polish Spirit, Huldine, Blue Belle, Emilia Plater, and Prince Charles growing on it. In that same bed there are two obelisks that have Etoile Rose, Gravetye Beauty, Princess Dianna, C. florida Sieboldiana', and versicolor. That same bed also has Andante, integrifolia, ochreleuca, Victor Hugo, and a seedling of Hendersonii. How many more can I cram into that bed??? LOL
Kvilledude
- North Carolina,
Zone "7A"
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Sunnyday2day
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 06:24 pm EST : |
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Katie wrote on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 09:38 am:It will be 8 ft wide and 24 ft long (walk-through) and will have posts every four feet. I plan on putting two clematis (like types) on each post.
Oh, my gosh! I can hardly wait to see this! I almost think with a little help, this type could be made in my garden too! It wouldn't have to be 24' long...hmmm. 
SunnyDay2Day mid-Michigan Zone 5
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Katie
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 06:48 pm EST : |
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Your poor tree! It sounds like you need at least an acre for your garden!
I know what you mean, Miguel. My "wall of clematis" (wire fence with access to both sides-thank goodness!) has 25 clematis spaced every 2 feet. Yeah, I may regret that someday.
I put together an interesting trio that still needs a obelisk or tripod. I have had Eriostemon in the ground for two years. This year I draped it on a plant stand which worked OK. I recently added Crispa and Viorna (was sold to me as texensis but I think it's closer to viorna) and plan on growing all 3 of them on one structure. Since the crispa sets seed so easily I thought I might get some interesting hybrids.
This weekend I will be adding a prebuilt small arbor under one side of a fairly large Incense Cedar tree in the Lower Garden. I plan on putting Montana Alexander (white) on one side of the arbor that will grow into the tree. That should be spectacular someday.
Katie
- Northern California,
Zone "8"
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Jeanne
My Favorite Photo
My Garden Journal
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 09:16 pm EST : |
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Mirror Mirror on the wall..is this what will become of me years down the road..let it be known as of December 10,2004 I have 5 Clematis..dare I peek into the future?..LOL.. I will end up needing more land I am sure...You be da man..I mean da woman...Katie..you go girl...Jeanne
Jeanne Texas Zone 8B |
Bloomorselse
| | Posted on Friday, December 10, 2004 - 11:00 pm EST : |
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Wow Katie, I wondered how you could have that many clematis when you only started planting them not long ago, but if you plant that many at a time, now I see. You lucky girl to have the space for so many. I have 11 only so far, but if only half my seeds germinate and grow successfully to planting size, I will certainly have to sacrafice some other plants if I want to keep them. I think I will need to use my veggie garden space as a clematis bed for a couple of years to see what they will look like before I decide which ones will definitely earn a permanent home. I'd hate to give away babies, not knowing if they might be the prettiest ones. Will have to be lucky and win a lottery ticket so I can buy out one of my neighbors go get more planting space.
Can't wait to see your new structure dripping in blooms.
Miguel, you must show us a picture of this poor tree full of blooms also. Must be wonderful.
You guys have me completely addicted. Oh, well, could have worse habits.
Joan New Brunswick Zone 4b |
Suzymac
My Favorite Photo
My Weather
My Garden
| | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 02:21 am EST : |
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Katie, your energy amazes me ! To have planted so many clematis and created so many lovely gardens in such a short time is amazing ! You are one heck of an addicted clematarian ! Great job !
Joan, you are going to have to do what I did.....use the old veggie garden for your clematis ! I now have my temporary winter greenhouse and a small test garden where my veggies once grew ! Space is limited and bushes are now my newest 'scaffolding' for extra clematis. All of my careful garden designs have been ripped up for my clematis ! I'm addicted to my seedlings and you will be too. You have now joined the ranks of the afflicted clematis seed growers. Enjoy ! Glad to have you aboard !
Suzy
Suzymac Massachusetts zone 6-A |
Karalyn
My Weather
| | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 04:50 pm EST : |
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Katie, Good JOB! Yippee! 
Joan, I turned my Veggie garden into my perennial flower garden, so go for it!
Although I did plant some tomatoes in the perennial flower garden this year cuz they were free and the soil there was already prepped.
I do have 3 cherry fruit trees in it that I've already started getting clems to climb. Also I keep looking for the right small tree to be scaffolding also.
Also, I have climbing roses along the fences and have clems planted near them to climb.
I have many clems to plant or just keep in their pots until spring.
I was thinking that some of the clems I planted in the dirt while still in the post, I could eventually just cut into the plastic and remove the pieces. This way I won't disturb the plant and the plant will be happy as from what I'm told the plants like to be crowded in their pots.
We did acquire a Kubota tractor so it now can move my granite rocks, mow lawns and we bought a bucket for it from another resource so my 25 year old son will be reworking it to this tractor. He has welding skills.
It has a snow scraper and leveler on it to. So it will make quick work of moving sand, bark, leaves, dirt, etc. Plus icky manure or compost.
I wish we could have afforded this 11 years ago. My husband got these off of Ebay.
My 13 1/2 year old son it loving it!
Karalyn Idaho Zone 6 |
Karalyn
My Weather
| | Posted on Saturday, December 11, 2004 - 04:55 pm EST : |
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OH, did I mention that I'm going to be a Grandmother any day now? She will be my first grandchild. Already named Shelby.
So there goes some more of my nurturing skills. 
Karalyn Idaho Zone 6 |
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