There are two types of clematis.... large flowered (blooms 4"-7"+) and small flowered. I have a passion for the small flowered clematis for several reasons.. There are varieties that bloom in April all the way through to varieties that bloom late summer into fall. Also the blooms of the small flowered varieties vary greatly in shapes and colors. I've had a lot throughout the garden and some I tried to move and lost because they had gotten so big. One I lost was my very favorite... Duchess of Albany.
The only down side to these type of clematis is that they are hard to find... at least here in Spokane. So I heard a clematis vendor from Oregon was going to be at our big garden event last Saturday. It opened at nine and I was there ready at 8:30am.
Although I have plenty of space I am trying to discipline myself to keep the garden area a size I can manage. It is so tempting to keep extending the flower beds. One way to increase the impact of the garden without making it larger is to go vertical with vines.
I was literally holding my breath that the vendor would have Duchess of Albany and they did... I also found several others and had to quit because my rolling cart would hold no more... They were nice 2 year plants in gallon pots and a reasonable price. I was out this morning in the rain planting them... Here is what I got
Graveta Beauty - this type has twisted petals
Julia Correvon
Bill Mackenzie - I was particularly happy to get this one because it is a fall bloomer followed by delightful seed heads which the birds love. I have to be careful where I plant this one as it gets huge....really huge... 
like my clematis paniculata which grows over the garage roof....about 30'. It will take a couple years for the new ones to establish themselves but they are very hardy (zone 4) and not the least bit fussy about growing conditions....
Last year I found this clematis roogushi and it should bloom this year. If you haven't seen the small blooming clematis you should consider trying them... You really get a lot of bang for your buck!!!
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5 comments:
These are all so pretty! It's no wonder you loaded up your cart. :-)
Enjoy ~ FlowerLady
Over the years I have tried Clematis several times with no luck on survival. Yours a so pretty.
Thanks for posting! Clematis are so wonderful & easy to grow. Lots of bang for the buck in the inspiration department! My Bill MacKenzie took over a trellis & is well on its way to the top of a locust tree while my Petit Faucon rambles thru Meideland roses nearby. Hope you find time to investgate some Raymond Evison varieties that may be grown in containers as they make well behaved neighbors on your patio or fill tight spaces in the garden. Also, check out the small & large varieties that flourish in the shade. Most of my clematis have come from Hummingbird Farm in Maine & I'm a happy customer.
Looks like you had a good day and you'll be able to enjoy it many times in the future :)
So nice to see such pretty flowers - I do miss our garden when I see things like this!
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