Blue Light Clematis - Unusual Development

Hi all,

This plant is about 3 years old. Last year it bloomed almost all summer. This is one of about 5 new blooms starting to open for 2006. When I was viewing my photos, I noticed a tiny "flower" coming from the center of the bloom. I've not seen this before either on my plant or in reference photos of this plant. Has anyone else out there seen this behavior on this or any clematis? Is it "normal" for the variety, sign of illness, etc? The plant looks very healthy and all of the blooms are large and lovely, so I hope it is not showing signs of stress or illness.

Thanks for your input.

Sheryl

Here is today's photo of the bloom. the tiny "flower" is gone. Still wondering if anyone has seen this behavior before.

Scutler,
It is very strange. Did you look to make sure it was actually attached to the Clematis bloom? The reason I ask is because it looks alot like a red maple bloom that may have blown onto the bloom and got stuck.

Gary

Oops :-! Egg on Face!
It looked so totally fragile. I didn't dare to touch it. The color went so well and convinsingly with the clematis, I never even considered that it came from somewhere else. My neighbor has a maple of some kind. I have a red lace-leaf jap maple (never noticed flowers on it). Your answer would explain why the flower was gone today - storm blew through here last night.

Thanks for solving that mystery for me.Man, for a minute there I was starting to imagine a whole new line of Scutler clematis plants with these dangling mini flowers, kind of like that waterfall hydrangea.

Edited to add: Impressive problem solving skill, Gary.

This message was edited Apr 4, 2006 3:53 PM

The Scutler Clematis now that a thought.LOL

Actually, now that I recall, I don't believe I saw the "flower" inside the flower until I was looking at the hi res photo after the fact. I was going to fund my retirement on that new line of clematis. Have to go now - need to touch up my blonde roots. ; )

We all would have went broke buying them. The Clematis itself is a looker.

Clematis 'Blue Light' is lovely with & without the "extra" flower!

I like that one too..Is that really that blue as I'm seeing in your picture??

Loretta...

Thanks for the compliments Gary, Shirley, and Loretta. Yes, the color in the 2nd photo is correct. This clematis is light periwinkle blue. The color in the 1st photo - the lavendar hue is wrong. Also, the blooms are quite large. I'd say the one in the picture is probably 7" or larger. If I recall correctly from last year, I believe the green center will eventually mature to make the flower a double, solid, light blue. The green stage is pretty cool though. When I 1st saw vendor photos, I didn't believe it would really look like that; it does. Also, this is only the 2nd growing season for mine. Last year, after the initial spring bloom period, it continued throughout the summer and early fall to always have 1-2 blooms. I'm surprised that it is doing so well as mine is in a location where it is shaded for all but the last 2-3 hours of the day.

So are you saying the second picture is a nice blue and not purple??I'm trying to find a nice blue one...

Loretta..

Yes, it is blue. Perhaps cornflower blue would be a better description. Blue, but not sky blue. Definitely NOT purple, not lavendar. I hope that helps. If you are looking for a nice blue, I think this is it.

Thanks....Did you buy yours from SilverStarVinery??I need a nice blue and the ones I've been buying are never true to color,ones even red..I sure did'nt need that color in that spot..

Loretta...

Boy that problem sounds familiar: "I sure didn't need that color in that spot". I have a couple of clematis that clash terribly with their neighbors causing me to wonder what I was thinking. Then when I check what they are SUPPOSED to look like...I understand.

No, I've had mine for a few years now. Just heard of that site. Have already picked a few to try. I bought mine from WaysideGardens. I don't think SilverStarVinery has Blue Light. Most of Wayside's clematis are bareroot, however.

Mine is a very nice light blue. It is one of the best blue's I've seen in any flower.

Actually the size of the 1st bloom is probably > 7" today. I took a picture with my hand for reference.

Then I got the idea to try to get a color reference for you. Here is blue light next to purple verbena. I think the blue light still looks blue here.

I guess I'll have to look around for that one,because thats the color I want...I am having a hard time right now with Wayside...Thanks for going thru the trouble of posting the picture..I just gotta have that one... ;o))

Loretta...

you're welcome. sorry to hear that you are having problems. did you call the 800 #? They have always fixed things for me when I called them. Anyhow, I'm sure you can find this cultivar elsewhere.