You are welcome Diggerdave. Glad to see others here have had great success with the smaller clematis from Walmart like I have. Mary, did you pot yours up and grow them out prior to planting them in the garden. This greatly enhances your success with them. One other thing to consider is that you say that "when you began growing clematis many years ago, I bought a dozen plants at Walmart and they died". Since then I am sure you have learned a whole lot more about growing clematis so that probably had a lot to do with your lack of success with those plants. I have purchased plants from several of the sources you have mentioned and lost some so it isn't just the size that determines success or failure with any clematis.

Karen, typically the type II large flowering hybrids are more prone to wilt than any of the other types of clematis. Some have reported wilt on type III clematis and even some of the viticellas but I often wonder when people say they have wilt whether it is really the typical clematis wilt or something else that is mimicking the disease. As to which clematis are more resistant to clematis wilt, I recommend you visit the International Clematis Society Website linked below where they have the best clematis for beginners listed by category. There are several blue-purple clematis that will fill the bill for your situation including Polish Spirt, Blue Belle, Jackmanii, Etoile Violette, and others shown on the International Clematis Society webpage where they have pictures for many of the varieties they recommend. For others you are unsure of the color of, visit Clematis on the Web and search for the varieties because they have pictures for all the common varieties you are likely to find locally. You can also search for clematis by color and the descriptions will give you the final height in meters (one meter is equal to about 3.28 feet for your info). Their website is as follows: http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/index.html Although you are looking for taller types of clematis, if you are into purple (and I am unashamedly am), I think you should look into Petit Faucon. It is an integrifolia which does not cling by itself but can be tied in, will get about five feet or so in height (for me anyway) and blooms for me from late April well into September with sporadic blooms into October. Gotta love that! Here is a link that might be useful: Best Clematis for Beginners on I Cl S Website

Fran - Are the elephant ears you sent me in the last swap hardy? I just don't want to take a chance on looseing them if they are not? illusris black magic (i think) and a couple others from some other people. I am in zone 7 and have heard they are but others say nope? Do you overwinter them or leave them in the ground? cannadoit - I like your greenhouse. Yours is much more orgainzed than mine. LOL. I just have too much stuff in there. fran - My garden is going well. I planted a ton. But now that all my lettuce is gone I am not sure what to put in its spot. (This is my first big garden and I am a little overwhelmed) I didn't fill it enough because I was scared I was going to overfill. LOL. Anyway. Any tips on fall gardening as usually I only do cukes and tomatoes so what would be good to plant now? My goal is next year to grow as much of our own food as possible this year was a tester and boy did I do a lot wrong! I didn't plant near enough potatoes, or cukes, but had PLENTY of lettuce and am going to be overloaded with tomatoes and peppers... but yeah! thats better than not enough! Worms ate my cabbage.. not sure what to do about them as I don't use chemicals on anything... I have been picking them every morning but they seem to multiply like rabbits. So anyone have a tip on how to keep them off naturally? Does anyone have a bannana plant? I have been wanting one. Please?? And two red or red/white clematis really wanting this also.. I am spying more things I may be able to offer in a day or two. So keep your eyes posted. Tammy

Maryanne, I am finally here this morning, without the glass of wine. I apologize for not getting on last night to report my fantastic findings. I received the most WONDERFUL box! Maryanne's theme, "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things"......... Each item was wrapped with a little note...so very nice! *A very nice card *Penzeys Spice catalogue *Penzeys Cinnammon *Iron Chef unseasoned Panko *Wonderful caramels...did you make???? *A box of Ball canning lids and bands *A vintage canning jar with powdered pectin........COOL! *Tags/metal holders to tag plants. Great idea using these for swap plants! * Several packages of cellophane holiday party gift bags...Halloween, Valentines, Christmas, anything goes.... *Zucchini Relish...I know you made this! I will be in to this tonight!! *A lovely canvas lunch tote *Tuscan style bread dipping herbs...(I love this stuff) with a dipping bowl!! *Fall note cards *Garden gloves *A little tote for whatever...have got my gloves and pruners tucked in here *Three books on CD...Fern Michaels "Pretty Woman" and "Hey, Good Looking", and Nora Roberts "Carolina Moon".....I have not read these!!!! i love books on tape/CD. *Little Pig Onion and Bacon Dip Mix....yum! *Paper coin envelopes for seeds *A book, "The 100 Best Small Towns in America".....oh my goodness!!! How did you know???? My husband and I have been on our quest to find the best place to live in America for years and years. Did I mention this in my OBF bio??? My husband saw this and laughed his tail off!! *Greenhouse with 36 peat pellets Maryanne, I can not thank you enough. These are a few of my favorite things as well. A perfect October party!! Happy Monday! Annie