RE: clematis questions

Hi Mea, didn't I send you corydalis seeds a while back?

I wish I could send you PLANTS.  It is literally taking over my garden and I've had to resort to Round up, which I never use.

As to your clematis questions:

I've been saving the information about the Viticella Clematis whenever they were discussed, 

There is also a WONDERFUL book I'd recommend, Trouble Free Clematis: Vitacella -- can't remember by whom it was written, but an EXCELLENT book and lots of pictures, combo ideas, etc.

Polish Spirit, Venosa Violacea, Etoile Violette and Betty Corning.  I know, I know -- they are all variations of purple.  

Betty Corning is a pale blue, the others are darker purple.  EV is purely purple, like velvet, whereas PS is more a reddish purpble.

how much shade can each one take and still put on a good show
of flowers?

Well, again, this is Oregon.  We don't get near the heat some others do.  I have Etoile Violette growing on the NORTHEAST corner of my house, and the east is blocked by two rows of trees and the north by various trees and shrubs.  It gets a bit of overhead sum mid-day and that's about it.  By mid-summer it covers a 7' teuter and then by its own volition swings across to the northwest and covers a trellis over on that side of the house... all in all we're talking about 10-12' in nearly complete shade.  It is BRIGHT SHADE, however, it is not under a tree or anything, but the base is under the eaves of the house and in competition with a maturing camellia, so you see it is in far from optimal conditions.

My next question -- if I find I need a lighter, contrasting color to 
act as a foil for the purple in the shade, which ones would you  recommend to pair with each one?  They'd have to have similar bloom time/bloom length.

There are fortunately now several pale blue vitacellas and some reds and I believe a few white?  Blue Angel comes to mind, but you'd have to get on line and look or get that book... I think another one is Emilia Platter.  

I'm leaving for a few days of vacation, if you remind me, I'll send you the picture I mentioned when I get back!

Enjoy your new clematis; they are a treasure!

Susan

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