Re: [SG] Pine Hyacinth - american clematis

There are many Clematis species that are native to the Southeast and into
the midwest of the US that are very distinctive and beautiful. A few are
small and herbaceous, like Clematis ochraleuca. C. albicoma, and. C.
fremontii. I have not grown C. baldwinii, but it sounds like it is in this
group, though perhaps not too hardy as it comes from Florida. C. ochraleuca
is in bloom in our garden right now, many stems forming a clump about 1'
tall and about the same around, with a mass of small creamy yellowish-white
bells infused with purple at the base, somwhat silky hairy. They hang at
the top of upright stems that are nicely curved at the tips.  The stems
will expand to about 2' through the summer. C.albicoma is similar, with
slightly large flowers on a somewhat more compact plant. These plants are
so beautiful and almost unknown. Garden visitors cannot believe they are
Clematis. They are easy to grow, but not easy to proagate, and the seed
does not germinate very readily. Then there is a large group of American
vining forms that are charming and easy for the most part, with smallish
urn-shaped bells with curved back tips. Clematis cripsa is in this group,
as is the somewhat legendary red Clematis texensis. I think that the large
flowered hybrids have so overshadowed these American jewels for so long,
that not many people have paid much attention to them.

Perhaps this is off topic to the shade group, as they are mostly sun
lovers, but I cannot resist touting their merits. I am enthralled with them.

Diana



At 07:00 AM 5/26/99 -0400, you wrote:
>
>Pine Hyacinth; Dwarf Hyacinth (Clematis baldwinii)
>Long stalks bear a solitary, nodding, pink to bluish-lavender, bell-shaped
>flower.  Flowers: 1-2" long; sepals 4, petal-like; petals lacking; stamens
>and pistils many.  Leaves: 1-4" long, opposite, variable in shape, the
>lower ones entire, the upper lobed.  Height: 1-2'.  Habitat:  Wet areas or
>pine woods.
>Range:  Peninsular Florida.  A color plate  is included in the book (#507).
>
>There is a similar species mentioned (C. crispa).
>
>Personally, I would describe the flowers as shaped like an Easter lily,
>only with the ends of the sepals extremely recurved.  The inner color of
>the blossom is very pale, and the recurved ends bring the pale color to
>contrast with the darker outer color.  The edges of sepals are frilled and
>somewhat serrated, for a lacy effect.
>
>
>Sheila Smith
>mikecook@pipeline.com
>Niles, MI  USA, Z 5/6
>
>
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