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Wanted: White Clem that wont' fry in Texas sun

16 years ago

Does anyone know of a white clem that won't shrivel and burn up in the hot Texas sun? It would get about 5-6 hours of sun from noon to the hottest part of the day.

Thanks!

Denise

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Comments (6)

nckvilledudes
16 years ago
Any clematis that is exposed to the sun during the hottest part of the day is likely to fry somewhat in your growing zone. However the type IIIs and the viticellas in particular tend to hold up better. The first one that comes to mind for you is Huldine or perhaps even campaniflora. Being type IIIs, even if they do get brown and crunchy looking in the middle of the summer, cutting them back and keeping them watered will probably get you a new set of vines and flowers in the late summer or early fall when the intensity of the summer sun won't be as strong.
jeanne_texas
16 years ago
Miguel is right Denise..I have 2 clematis "Huldine" and "John Huxtable" which are both pruning group 3's in tons of sun..but I also have a sprinkler system and they get their sprays of watering every 3rd day for 20 minutes..neither one has gotten the "Brown-out" that some of the pruning group 2's can get..stick with the Viticellas aka pruning group 3's...I have clematis "Henryii" that gets sun almost all day until about 4pm and he hasn't browned out either..but I am thinking that is because he is shadedly living behind my New and Improved Lemon Meyers tree is the key...that one is in an area where I have to hand water ...Jeanne
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dmg2242
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Miguel and Jeanne!

Jeanne, I have John Huxtable in a not so great spot I think. I got him last year from Silver Star and he probably gets at least 4 hours of morning and noon sun. I though he died last year, but he showed up this Spring. But he's just not growing like Jackmanii who is right next door. Did your JH take a while to get going by any chance?

Denise
jeanne_texas
16 years ago
Denise..My JH took off like crazy the second year...you might want to monitor him..he just might not be getting enough sun...BUT we still have summer to come and you know that our sun is more intense then and he may just leap for joy !! Mine is already about 4 feet tall and setting buds and spit out some new vines this year..woohooopppeee...so, if he gets better with summer coming on then he is ok in that spot..Mine gets a tad bit more sun than yours ..I think....He is living on the Southern side of a rose arbor and is a bit shaded come 5pm....Jeanne
dmg2242
Original Author
16 years ago
I'll definitely keep an eye on JH over the next few weeks. It's just weird that Jackmanii is going gangbusters right next door. JH has about 5" of growth, while Jack is about 15" long (though he's a one stem wonder ;)) . Think I'll pinch both Jack and JH back just a tad and see what that does. They've each had a couple of doses of Mills Easy Feed--one the end of Feb./beginning of March and then I fed them again a few days ago. Is that right? My other clems that I got from Debbie are going crazy, but they're across the yard in a little sunnier bed--maybe 5-6 hours of sun.

Thanks, Jeanne!

Denise
jeanne_texas
16 years ago
Not all clematis start at the same time nor do they grow at the same speed...After having them in your gardens for several years..you'll learn who does what!!..I have several viticellas that are huge and anywhere from 10-12 feet tall already loading up with buds and some just opening and some open..I think JH seems to start later than some ...more sun could be it but I'm thinking this variety is just later than others...but you'll notice a big difference in him this year for sure..your feeding sounds ok..just never fertilize once you see them starting to set flowerbuds or you'll rush their bloom period and instead of 6 weeks they'll go really fast and last only about 2...Jeanne

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