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Help I.D. these and Seed collection question

13 years ago

I bought these clematis last year at a nursery, but they did not have a tag or anything that said their specific name. Several of my friends have asked the variety name because they want one too, but I have no idea what the variety name is. I would also like to know their names to know which type they are for pruning purposes etc. Also, are these varities hybrids, or will the seeds be true to the parent plant? If the seeds stay true to the parent plant, what do the seeds look like? I found some whispy feathery looking things that I thought might be the seeds that are now falling off the old blooms. Is this the right time to collect the seeds?

Unknown Clematis #1:

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This picture makes the bloom look blue, but the blooms are a deep purple in real life.

Unknow Clematis #2:

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The blooms in real life are a light purple/lavendar color. For some reason, they look a little blue in this picture too.

I would appreciate any help and sorry for asking so many questions!

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Comments (4)

bob414
13 years ago
I think the first one is The President. At first glance I thought the second was Crystal Fountain but not at all sure on that one.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
13 years ago
Blooming now, they are most likely in pruning group 2. And yes, these are hybrids - seeds from these will not necessarily come true to the parent. If you would like to share these plants with friends and neighbors, cuttings or layering (asexual propagation) would be the best way to assure the same plant/flowers.

The 'wispy' things you describe are the seedheads - the individual seeds are contained in the fluffy wisps :-) I haven't grown clems from seed so not sure when the seeds would be sufficiently ripe to attempt to plant or germinate - I'd think it might be too early. Maybe someone who does will chime in on that.
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buyorsell888
13 years ago
I think it is The President and Crystal Fountain.

I've never tried to grow them by seed. I can buy them too cheaply here to bother.
mnwsgal
13 years ago
The seeds are ripe when they are dried. Some clematis have large dark brown/black seeds while others are beige, some are large and some are small. Look closely at the seedhead and you will see anywhere from 0 to many seeds. Watch them develop and you will be able to tell when they are no longer changing and probably ripe. I have seen clematis seeds still on a plant even after a long winter. While seedlings will not be exactly the same as the parent they often have lovely blooms. Though I buy or start clematis from cuttings/layering I also grow some from seed just for the challenge. Some seeds will germinate easily and quickly while others can take a long time. In some areas clematis self seed and the seedlings can be potted or moved to another area. Google clematis seeds/seedlings and you will find info on what they look like and germination requirements.

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