skip to main content

'Scratching My Head' Clematis

15 years ago

We moved to the north TX Panhandle almost 2 years ago. Since that time we have worked very hard getting a presentable yard...starting from nothing with a new home. We have planted about 15 Clematis last summer and this year. Last summer picked up 2 at Lowes that were labeled Fireworks and Carnaby. The one labeled Fireworks had a few white flowers this spring (obviously wrong label) and the other is the one that has me scratching my head!! Both grew very quickly and got over 6 feet tall in a few weeks, with probably 15-20 shoots. The other one (which is probably mislabeled also) has done nothing as far as buds or blooms. After quickly growing to the top of the trellis it has "flopped" over on itself and now has browning of the leaves underneath. Do I need patience or should there not be something happening with one that has grown this large, the first year? I have a Sweet Autumn also that is "eating" the entire trellis is on, but do not think "the Carnaby" is another SA.

Sorry I don't do pictures, but really nothing to see but a large clem that has NOT bloomed.

I so appreciate all the "wisdom" and information on this forum......Thanks to all of you. I look forward to learning something every day about the care and growing of clematis...my latest obsession.

Carolyn

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

jeanne_texas
15 years ago
Carolyn..it's very important to have patience when growing clematis for they take a good three years to get established..Your clematis are just babies and to see them get that tall in one season is quite amazing as they usually don't send up that many vines their first season unless they are "Polish Spirit"..LOL...you won't have many blooms until they mature...glad to hear you didn't suffer wilt with your babies as we know how small those plants are at Lowe's ..unless you bought the 3 gallon ones? Did you feed your Clematis some Rose or Tomato fertilizer?..You should if you didn't but do know you NEVER want to fertilize once your clematis starts to set flowerbuds as this will only rush the bloom period...All clematis are different..some varieties are more vigorous than others so you can't compare the one that is not as vigorous to the one that is...Jeanne
okflrgrl
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you Jeanne for taking the time to answer. I guess I just expected more, knowing full well that Clems do take a couple of years to mature. Had this Clem not grown so vigorously this spring, I probably would not have thought so much about it. Will wait patiently until next spring to see what happens then.

Thank you again. I always enjoy your wisdom and information.

Carolyn
Related Discussions
A tree id that has me scratching my head
Q
Comments (4)
You lot are good,i wouldn't have a clue,never heard of that genus.(Moraceae?) About that site,I'd heard of Arbor Day but never realised exactly what it was and kept forgetting to investigate-basically you celebrate a certain date by planting trees? Can't be bad!
...See More
Photos of my first two clematis blooming in my garden
Q
Comments (2)
Nice pictures. I'm NOT one of those who dislike Hagley Hybrid. I like it enough that I have two of them. They are in the shade during the middle of the day and even though they do fade I still like them.
...See More
Now I'm really scratching my head. . .
Q
Comments (9)
I don't see Old World either. Yours is more straightforward than that. I'd go with tone on tone for the backsplash with a feature behind your cooktop. If you look at Shelayne's (in the backsplash thread) and think more yellowish bone or off white, that would be very classic. Your local tile place (try a little high end-ish) can give you some beautiful ideas for behind the stove, even if you duplicate the look elsewhere. You may be able to do cheaper tiles from big box stores and then splurge a little for the feature part from the specialty place. Ebay has some very pretty mosaic type medallions and such on there. Your counter has pattern to it so I would go for a calm field and then a little panache behind the cooktop. What you have already is quite nice. This will be the icing on the cake ;)
...See More
Should I prune or deadhead the seed heads on my Clematis?
Q
Comments (0)
Whether to deadhead or not is a personal decision. Many find the seed heads to be very attractive and leave them on until they mature and drop in the fall. Keep in mind that producing both flowers and seeds requires resources and can drain the energy of the plant. Well-established and well-fed plants produce both of these with ease. However, it is probably best to deadhead young vines to help them get established faster. With some of the more vigorous varieties such as Terniflora (AKA Sweet Autumn Clematis), montanas, or most species, deadheading is not required. If you deadhead the early-blooming, large-flowered Group Two cultivars you will usually get a sparse second blooming and more growth. If you intend to grow new cultivars or species from seed, let your best performing vines hold their seed heads until they have matured. It is up to you and what your aim/goal is.
...See More
jeanne_texas
15 years ago
Carolyn ..you are welcome..but the season isn't over hon and they could very well surprise you with some blooms before winter...fertilize those little babies...Jeanne

Related Stories

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Pros Solve a Head-Scratching Layout in Boulder

By Karen Egly-Thompson

A haphazardly planned and built 1905 Colorado home gets a major overhaul to gain more bedrooms, bathrooms and a chef's dream kitchen

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Clematis Virginiana

By Pollination Press LLC

Devil’s darning needles, a vigorous vine native to eastern North America, likes partial shade and many types of soils

FUN HOUZZ 31 True Tales of Remodeling Gone Wild

By Mitchell Parker

Drugs, sex, excess — the home design industry is rife with stories that will blow your mind, or at least leave you scratching your head

GARDENING GUIDES What Are Your Spring Gardening Plans?

By Annie Thornton

Tearing out the lawn? Planting edibles? Starting from scratch? Tell us what you plan to change in your garden this year

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways Cats Help You Decorate

By Molly Brandenburg

Furry felines add to our decor in so many ways. These just scratch the surface

PETS Dealing With Pet Messes: An Animal Lover's Story

By Tiffany Carboni

Cat and dog hair, tracked-in mud, scratched floors ... see how one pet guardian learned to cope and to focus on the love

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Custom Everything in a Newfoundland Transitional Home

By Becki Peckham

Being a woodworker has its advantages when you're building from scratch — this Canadian home fits the family beautifully

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Fireclay Brims With Heavy-Duty Character

By Rachel Grace

Cured at fiery temperatures, fireclay makes for farmhouse sinks that just say no to scratches and dents

WOODWORKING 7 Must-Have Measuring Tools for Woodworking

By R. Olson Design

Whether you're a newbie DIYer or building cabinets from scratch, using the right woodshop tools makes all the difference

DECORATING GUIDES Houzz Tour: A Wealth of Style in 800 Square Feet

By Mary Jo Bowling

After a fire, a designer starts from scratch in another apartment. Check out her tricks for making a compact live-work space feel just right

Sponsored

RTS Home Solutions

3 Reviews

BIA of Central Ohio Award Winning Contractor

More Discussions

Could this be Jackmanii Superba?

11

Atragenes, Alpinas for the south?

11

Anyone grow Brother Stefan?

6

Pruning of type 2?

1

Shade plant for base of Clematis? Help please?

1