Suburban Gardener—

Clematis, Part Two

By Gerry McCabe

Late Summer and early Fall is when most of the vining plants really show off. Rising high above their companions they will appear to take center stage, whirling and creeping around and amidst any willing and available structure in their path.

But there are a few such as Clematis montana, or Anemone Clematis, that will blossom in spring. This clematis will show off with white or pink dogwood shaped flowers accompanied by a delightful almond scent. It is a rapid grower, quickly producing vines to 25 feet high and therefore needing a very sturdy support.

It also would need to be placed in a protected area since it is hardy at zone 6. We in Naugatuck hover on the 5/6 zone and sometimes it depends on the mildness of our winter or the microclimate in your selected site, as to whether or not a zone 6 will survive the season.

Microclimates, by the way, are those areas which exist within a particular area within a specific zone. You may have a sheltered, southern exposed garden that would bathe and protect a zone 6 plant with TLC throughout the winter while the northern part of your property may have the ability to house a plant no higher than a zone 4. Added evergreen protection on the north side would guard against the northeastern winds in winter but you would never bring that microclimate above a 5 no matter how hard you try. The winter sun is just too low in the sky to help out.

On the other hand, Clematis maximowicziana, or Sweet Autumn Clematis, is a northern gardener’s delight. This seductress of the garden shows no mercy and will even survive a zone 4. Growing on current year’s wood, this vine may take a full year to take hold but when it does it will take your breath away come August and September.

Foliaged with dark green, shiny, compound leaves, Sweet Autumn shows off masses of tiny white flowers, creating an illusion of fresh, puffy snow while cascading over fences, trellises, evergreens, hedges, or whatever is in its way. Adding to the pleasure is a sweet, vanilla scent that will draw you closer to inspect the busy work of hundreds of bees and butterflies getting their final feast before the cooler weather heads in.

But do not let Sweet Autumn’s delicate look mislead you. She is as tough as nails. Come spring, prune her down as low as you want. As a matter of fact, this is encouraged. The vigorous growth of this vine can topple down supports or pull down gutters as time goes on. Remember that C. maximowicziana grows on this season’s or “new” wood, so you will never forfeit blossoms.

Last year in October, when we needed to move our plant, I worried that I may have killed her. Although I watered it frequently after transplanting, it wilted pathetically. I really thought that I had killed it. But come spring, those green tendrils poked through and quickly entwined the deck rail and this year, with flower buds galore, she was ready to give us grand finalé of summer.

Do you like gold? How about gold bells? Then Clematis tangutica may be something you would like to look into. Grown as a rambler or a climber, Golden Clematis has bell-shaped, small yellow flowers on fine stems that blossom from mid summer through fall. Growing to ten feet or more, this clematis is scentless but brilliant over a long period and can create a softening effect to hard objects such as sharp fences and hard evergreens.

And let us not forget the late fall and early winter interest of all clematis vines… those unique spiraling seed heads. From the large-flowered to the tiny, the seed pods all resemble fine coiled wisps of whorled threads bouncing in the breeze while enticing the birds for a quick late season treat.

Clematis are so beautiful they can become enchanting. The lure of the multi-colored hybrids along with their bold garden presence can lay a bewitching spell upon the beholder. For who has not gasped at their beauty and not been drawn from their view to obtain a cousin to plant right in their own garden? Sort of  “Clematis-struck” I would guess! Enjoy!        

(When she isn’t tending to her garden at home, Gerry McCabe spends some of her time continuing her gardening education at Naugatuck Valley College in Waterbury. Gerry — who is a certified master gardener in Connecticut — can be reached at TNGCATS@aol.com. Gerry last wrote about clematis in the September 9 issue of The Newtown Bee.)