RE: Clematis

Vitacellas are the easiest of the lot absolutely.  I have about 70 clematis and the vitacellas are bullet-proof in sun or shade and bloom in July and August.

BUT, they are also some of the most vigorous, getting 12-15 feet rather than 6-8 like most clematis.  

While I'm not sure I entirely following your arbor dimensions, I can tell you this:

A mature clematis, at its base, will be 3-4 feet ACROSS.  The vines will of course spread even further than that.

I would think one plant on either side is MORE than sufficient -- and make sure the arbor is WELL fixed in a stationary fashion of some sort -- cemented in or rebar put in the ground 1-2' with another 1' above ground, and the arbor "legs" sitting over the rebar.

Hope that helps.

-----Original Message-----
From: Karen B. [a*@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 9:12 AM
To: perennials@hort.net
Subject: Clematis


Hi all,

I have a few questions about clematis. My mother has a metal arch she
put in her garden last year. She would like to plant some vines and we
thought of using clematis. The arch is about 5' wide, 7' tall, and only
1' deep. She was wanting to put two plants, both with a different flower
color, on each side of the arch (total four plants, two colors). I know
nothing about clematis, but I can't imagine a 1' deep arch is going to
be able to handle two clematis side by side. Right???? I then thought
what maybe we could do is put one on the outside and one on the inside
(same thing on left side and on right side). I don't know how clematis
attach to their supports as to whether this would work, especially when
the inside plants reach the curving part of the arch.

Have I confused anyone yet?! If not, would the inside and outside idea
work? since I don't think the side by side idea would work.

She pretty much has her heart set on clematis, and from what I have read
of previous clematis discussions and a couple of the clematis nursery
web sites, I'm leaning toward some of the viticellas.

Thanks,
Karen
z5a

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