Clematis: Still impressed with Jackmanii, 1 by hczone6

hczone6 wrote:
Thanks. The soil isn't very well amended at all. It's mostly thick clay and there's a layer of somewhat broken up brick mortar about 8 inches below the surface...all the way around the house. It's from when they installed the bricks on the house when it was built (1996). I've tried to get the mortar out or break it up as I work in those areas of the beds. I guess it hasn't hurt anything. My guess would be it makes the soil PH a little higher. I've heard that clay holds nutrients much better than a nice loam, so maybe that has something to do with it. It stays moist there too...so that helps. I'll need to trim it back some this fall. It's getting way too top heavy and bushy. I wish I had one like this growing up a thornless honeylocust which creates just very light shade. Hmmm....now there's an idea ;) I've already started Miss Bateman and another one growing up a golden rain tree. Should turn out very nice. This is another light shade tree with open branches near the bottom. And I've got Nelly Moser growing up a crabapple. I guess that's my new thing lately - living support for vines.
http://www.pbase.com/image/31971192

Remember how I said I use giant miscanthus stalks from the previous year for plant supports? Here's a good example:
http://www.pbase.com/image/31971199

This message was edited Jul 30, 2004 8:31 AM