I'm "new" to the gardening experience and have fallen in love with Clematis. I purchased my first, Carnaby, from a mail order company in May and after hours of reading about how, when and where to plant (thanks Dave's Garden!) I tenderly dropped my lovely beauty into the perfect location and perfect soil.
When the gallon sized plant arrived, it actually looked, well, for lack of a better word ... old. The leaves were leathery, the wood was old, it had spent flower stamens on it, and its three vines had been cut down to 6 inches from the crown at best. To my amazement, this previously pitiful plant has filled out and grown to about a foot and half now (despite a constant battle with newly discovered earwigs which i think i am winning ... thanks Dave's Garden!) with 7 appreciable vines and LO AND BEHOLD! a flower bud!
I've read that during the first year, Clematis should not be allowed to bloom so as to divert its energy into root development. As much as I hate to ask ... should I be pinching off any buds that develop this year? If the answer is YES, then I will dutifully march out and pinch the bud despite my contrary desire. If NO, then about how long before I can expect the bud to open?
Thank you in advance for your answers.
New Clematis Fanatic has basic question
I wouldn't worry about pinching or pruning it for the rest of the year...You said your clematis was already pruned back when you received it..so that should suffice for this year...enjoy your blooms!! Your Clematis "Carnaby" is a pruning group 2 just so you'll know for future reference...7 vines sounds like you purchased an older plant anyway..It might have been a two year old potted up one..well done...Jeanne
welcome to the world of clematis obsession......a great journey is ahead.
Thank you for your responses Jeanne and niobe.
The bloom literally opened in front of my eyes today :).
But I don't think it's Carnaby :( The bloom is about 2 inches across and no pink stripe. Or does that develop as the flower "matures"?
Nope, that's not Carnaby. You could contact the nursery you bought it from and let them know and maybe they'll send you Carnaby.
Debbie
I contacted the nursery yesterday and sent them a pic. Since they are out of Carnaby they are crediting my account. Positive side ... I got a free clematis (YAY!). Negative side ... I planted it in a spot with only about 4 hours of full morning sun (dappled after that so the Carnaby flowers wouldn't fade). Is anyone able to identify it for me so that I can put it in a proper location next spring (if needed)? The flower is about 4 inches across. Here is another pic taken today.
Thank you again for your help.
It looks like Clematis "H.F.Young" to me...Jeanne
http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=24
I have always read that one should cut down a new clematis the first year ( as was the one anginwhite purchased apparently) to give it time for the roots to get well established but Ive never been able to do it!
alternative i like is letting the blooms come on a young plant, then just prune them back before the blooms are spent. enjoy them for a week or so then do the tweak back, or cut them and bring them inside to enjoy. i think this is better for the plant than not letting it bloom. it gets to go thru the cycle, just don't leave them on the vine long enough to stress the plant.
Happy September everyone!
Just wanted to double check, but I am pretty much convinced that I ended up with Clematis "H.F. Young". He seems to be perfectly happy in this spot ... and I am more than happy with him. I'm just sorry that all the buds probably won't have the chance to bloom before the frost sets in. Next spring, after he is pruned, I'll put him on a nicer looking trellis or perhaps even an obelisk. I've picked up a few fancy trellis' at garden clearances.
I am the proud owner of 5 clems now. I have two "Jackmanii" which were very small when I got them, but appear to be thriving, a "Henryii" which is also thriving and has given me one flower to enjoy, and a "Rouge Cardinal" that I picked up on a clearance table at Lowes. The challenge now will be to get them all through the winter. The "Rouge Cardinal" is in a large pot, but I have a covered patio to winter him in ... I just have to remember to water!
Thank you all for your great advice. I read you religiously and learn something new everyday. I can't wait to see my clems as healthy and vigorous as yours.
