RE: clematis

Gale & Bill,
	Clematis wilt is a problem here in Oregon.  Do you have such a thing where
you garden?  The vines will collapse and turn brown and about the time you
think it is dead and gone forever, here will come new shoots out of the
ground.  The large flowered cultivars seem to be the most susceptible.  I
can't think of a small flowered one that has does this.  I love C. 'Nelly
Moser', but she does this almost ever year.  On the other hand, C. montana
rubens has never wilted and is smothered with flowers every spring.  I've
never had a viticella, tangutica or texensis wilt either, but some folks may
have experienced it.
	So we are told by the Clematis experts to be sure to plant at least 2
healthy pairs of buds below the soil line when they are initially planted.
These buds are what will generate the new growth is something happens to the
top growth.  They appreciate regular feeding (rose food does nicely) and
because our soil is naturally very acidic, some ground dolemite lime can be
added to the soil when you dose your Peonies and pink Hydrangeas.
	As to propagating Clematis,  I have not had any luck with it.  I can get
cuttings to root, but not survive the first winter.  Layering is not hard
though, especially with the viticellas.

Marilyn Dube'
Natural Designs Nursery
Portland, Oregon


-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-perennials@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
Of Blee811@aol.com
Sent:	Tuesday, January 14, 2003 12:21 PM
To:	perennials@hort.net
Subject:	Re: clematis

In a message dated 1/14/2003 8:21:15 AM Eastern Standard Time, glink@att.net
writes:


> Yes!  I think I saw one of these on a garden tour last summer.  I have
> killed
> more clematis than anything else.  Any growing hints other than living in
> Oregon?  And thanks for the wick info.  Duh!
>

Gale, I grow a lot of different clematis in the Cincinnati area, z6a.  They
say that the secret is to plant them where the roots remain cool, such as at
the base of something else, such as a shrub or rose, and then let the vines
climb up into the sun. I do this when I can, but it isn't always possible. I
haven't found that they need any particular care.  A mulch could also help
keep roots cool.
Bill Lee

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