Did you post your picture on the Clematis forum also? They should be able to give you a quick answer there. :-) http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/clematis/ Rosie

Not sure if your Lowe's has the same stuff mine does, but I have had a terrible time this year with mislabeled clematis. I wanted a Ville de Lyon - which may be what you have - does it have a paler center area to each petal? - but ended up with something very big and blue. I think it may be H.F. Young. Had to keep that to go with my other two H.F. Youngs. Went back and picked up the last one labeled Ville de Lyon. It had no buds, so I was taking another chance. Still no buds, but it has big leaves like VdeL. Went back today to pick up another mislabeled one I saw while correcting the earlier mistake - saw two VdeL in bloom and gorgeous, both labeled Proteus. Left the store with one correctly labeled Miss Bateman, one mislabeled VdeL, and one mismarked absolutely-no-idea cute little white and magenta pinwheel type. If any of this stock sounds like what your Lowe's is carrying, I would bet you have Ville de Lyon.

The notion that clematis require or prefer alkaline soil is just one of a number of myths associated with this vine. Clematis species are native to numerous locations across the temperate regions of the globe and soil conditions vary widely. Some species may have more strict requirements but in general, clematis are not very fussy about pH......they are quite happy in both slightly to moderately acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5), neutral soil (7.0) or slightly alkaline soil (7.5). Ideally, I'd target somewhere close to neutral (6.5-7.0) -- just avoid extremes in either direction :-) The American Clematis Society doesn't even address the question of pH being an issue! It is more important that the soil be loose and friable and with a fair amount of organic matter included. And with very good drainage. FWIW, I have grown a large number of clematis (60+) in moderately acidic soil (pH 6.3) without any issues. I even used to grow them up and through large rhododendrons, recognized acid lovers. I have never applied lime nor do I fertilize very heavily. I mulch well with compost each season and when I had rabbits, used their manure liberally. That's it....no other amendments or fertilizers. Lush, robust plants and with a profusion of flowers.

I have C cirrhosa, admittedly not Freckles but Wisley Cream, and find that it does not flower well in shade. Only the parts that are in the sun get blossom. Also, we'd better tell repmar that C cirrhosa is a winter flowerer. Mind you, I am notably rubbish with clematis. The only ones of my 7 which are any good are a viticella called Sodertalje and good old montana Rubra.