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Post by revmichael on Oct 27, 2007 14:00:20 GMT
My Clematis: Etoile Violette still has some flowers on it at its very top. There have been literally thousands of blooms on this one plant - and its still going  And my Geranium ''Ann Folkard" is going as well as it has all summer. I like this plant because it's leaves are also a lovely golden colour, even when there are no flowers on the plant.  |
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Post by patacake on Oct 29, 2007 22:34:53 GMT
Wow Rev
Both plants look wonderful. I agree about Ann Folkard - stunning blooms plus that lovely lime green foliage. The hardy geraniums are such good value. I have lots of different ones but my favourite blue is one of the oldest - G Magnificum.
Have you tried the Clematis Viticellas? I highly recommend "Purpurea Plena Elegans" . Its flowered non-stop all summer.
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Post by revmichael on Oct 30, 2007 17:21:53 GMT
Wow Rev Both plants look wonderful. I agree about Ann Folkard - stunning blooms plus that lovely lime green foliage. The hardy geraniums are such good value. I have lots of different ones but my favourite blue is one of the oldest - G Magnificum. Have you tried the Clematis Viticellas? I highly recommend "Purpurea Plena Elegans" . Its flowered non-stop all summer. Thanks for that Pat. I believe that C.Etoile Violette is a viticella and certainly Ann Folkard has had lots of bits dug up from it to give to other gardening friends. |
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Post by patacake on Oct 30, 2007 22:53:08 GMT
To Revmichael
Can you tell me when I should prune a viticella and by how much. It has just finished flowering. I am always a bit nervous about pruning clematis as they all seem to need different treatment.
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Post by revmichael on Oct 31, 2007 7:38:14 GMT
To Revmichael Can you tell me when I should prune a viticella and by how much. It has just finished flowering. I am always a bit nervous about pruning clematis as they all seem to need different treatment. This is from the RHS wwebsite www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0201/clematis_pruning.aspIt says, Group 3 Large-flowered cultivars, small-flowered species and their cultivars, and herbaceous species, flowering late summer on current season’s growth. 'Large-flowered Small-flowered Herbaceous ‘Comtesse de Bouchaud’ ‘Bill MacKenzie’ C. heracleifolia ‘Hagley Hybrid’ ‘Etoile Violette’ C. integrifolia ‘Jackmanii’ ‘Gravetye Beauty’ C. recta General pruning and renovation Cut back all growth to a pair of strong buds 15-20cm (6-8in) above soil level, before growth begins in early spring.' However, every autumn mine gets cut down - mainly to clear up the foliage that has finished flowering. This is done by PMR who is more concerned to make the garden look tidy rather than doing it at the proper time and in the correct way. I did read once that although there are particular ways to prune each of the three groups. But whatever you do the plant will sort itself out so you don't have to worry if you prune at the wrong time. However you must remember that those plants that flower on the previous year's growth i.e. Clematis alpina, C. armandii, C. cirrhosa, C. macropetala, C. montana should be cut down AFTER flowering, within 6-8inches from the base of the plant. And do you know about clematis wilt? This sometimes happen after flowering, so the answer is to disobey the usual rule about planting in the soil at the level the plant is in the container when you buy it. With clematis you should dig a large hole and make sure that the surface of the plant is around 8 inches lower than the soil level. This means that should clematis wilt hit your plant there will be still be buds below the surface which will then start to sprout. |
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Post by patacake on Nov 1, 2007 12:44:31 GMT
As always a most helpful reply from you Rev. You have gone to a lot of trouble which I appreciate. You make it sound far less complicated than the books.
Also thanks for the tip about clematis wilt. Fingers crossed - I haven't been afflicted. I am about to move 2 from pots into the ground so I shall do as you advise. I must say that's a really deep hole. Ta! And happy gardening.
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