Thanks, Melle. I have Hagley Hybrid, too, and it's been an uphill battle. It survives and puts out a bloom or 2, but is a very weak grower for me. Jenn, it occured to me that I didn't answer any of your questions. "Where do you put them all?" Had to laugh at this. Probably the reason I have so many is because I ran out of room. Clematis grow up, so they don't take up a lot of ground space and most can grow through other plants and strangle them. I grow them through shrubs, trees, roses, tall perennials (like salvias). I have herbaceous ones (Petit Faucon) that get just a few feet tall that clambers through the perennial bed using the plants for support. You can stick them almost anywhere. I have a few of the smaller varities that I grow in large pots, but most are planted in the ground. The exceptions are the ones in my plant ghetto waiting for a home...LOL, and the ones that I consider too small to be planted. They go into pots, are babied for a season, and planted the following spring (or fall). It is hard to pick a favorite, but If I had to only have 1 Clematis, it would be Durandii, a non-climber that only gets about 6' and fills an obelisk nicely. It's extremely hardy, blooms non-stop from spring through fall, and is a gorgeous blue color.

Hope you`re having a wonderful time on this birthday, Wanda. This was my brother`s birthday, who was killed in a car smash on his way to work, over 30 years ago, when his kids were in their teens. I`m expecting to attend his ex`s 80th birthday party just over a week from now. ole joyful

To one great lady....HAPPY BIRTHDAY WANDA!!!!! May your day be as special as the lady celebrating it. SamKaren and John your resident DJ and her DH

That's funny Phyllis, that we thought of it practically at the same time! Happy birthday Wanda!!