What is your absolute favorite clematis?

Mackinaw, IL(Zone 5a)

I finally got an arbor, and would like to plant clematis and possibly a climbing rose up the sides. I am fairly new at clematis: I've planted Jackmanii, Proteus, and John Paul II, and they are just starting to take off.

What is a pretty reliable, relatively low-care clematis? Maybe that is an oxymoron--I know clematis take a bit more care than some plants. I love intense colors and bright whites. I really, really like Sieboldi (sp?), but don't think it would do well my zone, 5a.

I know there are lots of very talented clematis growers here--what do you recommend? Any climbing roses you've had good luck with, too?

Sounds like an easy question, but I'm sure there are no easy answers!

Angie

Appleton, WI

Madame Julia Correvon - It started blooming mid-June and is still blooming. It climbs well, and doesn't fade in full - all day sun. It's a viticella, and viticellas are not as fussy as the large-flowering varieties. Plus, it is so beautiful.

Mackinaw, IL(Zone 5a)

Wow, just looked it up in Plant Files, and that is a real beauty. Probably a good color, too, as I have more pastels in spring, and flame colors in summer. This would go with both.

Mahomet, IL

Betty Corning, without a doubt. If I could have only one plant of any kind in my garden, it would be her. It's also a viticella, and has been problem-free for me in zone 5b. As a bonus--it's fragrant. Draws a lot of attention too, since the flowers don't have the typical clematis shape that most people are used to seeing. I get a lot of foot traffic by my yard since I live by a school on the playground side (so, parents walking by much of late spring and early summer on the way to T-ball games), and without a doubt, this is one plant that everyone comments on.

Appleton, WI

And MJC photographs well, too.

I hear so many good things about Betty Corning that I am planning on swapping out a few disappointing clematis for Betty Corning on an arbor.

Thumbnail by JuliaJayne
Delaware, OH

julia correvon is a beauty. i found it slower than some vitacellas to establish, but still a total pleasure. Here is julia in my garden in mid summer 08.

Thumbnail by ClematisGuru
Delaware, OH

betty corning establishes quickly and is a trouble free vitacella. longest bloom season of any clematis for me (i have
230 odd cultivars growing in my garden)
flowers are not dramatic, so can't say it is my favorite, but it is a sure thing and very impressive clematis for those needing a taste of success. plus, the history is interesting. it was a sport, or chance seedling discovered by the daughter of a clematis fan, then propagated and distributed.( if i have my clem facts right) love that about it. keep your eyes open..you never know what you will spot!

Thumbnail by ClematisGuru
Delaware, OH

this shot of betty corning shows the floriferous bounty she can produce.

Thumbnail by ClematisGuru
Delaware, OH

favorite clematis award for 2008, out of 230 varieties goes again to villa de lyon. my true love year after year. long bloom season, especially with a medium prune after first long bloom season. prince charles is a close second along with alba luxurians, tie dye, etoile violette, rouge cardinal, margaret hunt..on and on...but villa de lyon wins again.

Thumbnail by ClematisGuru
Appleton, WI

I just planted Ville de Lyon this year, and it recently started blooming again. I can't wait to see it next year.

How well does the color hold up in full sun? Mine faded badly, but I'm hoping that as the plant matures, it won't fade as much.

Delaware, OH

the photo in the posting above shows the color upon young blooms and also the faded color. the blooms do fade, but they last a LONG TIME, and in a mature display the variation is very pretty. the ville de lyon in the photos i have posted is in full sun. fading would be less pronounced in partial shade, but the bloom quantity might be compromised
as well. here is a photo of the whole display(same plant and season that the above close up was taken of)

Thumbnail by ClematisGuru
Appleton, WI

What a stunning photo! I can't wait until mine is that size. How long has yours been in the ground?

Ellicott City, MD(Zone 7a)

Clematis, "Bourbon" for its hue and saturated color. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/144332/

(Taylor) Plano, TX(Zone 8a)

Blue light...hands down! :0)

Thumbnail by seedpicker_TX
Delaware, OH

this ville de lyon is about 8 years old. it i has never been moved, and is in a full sun posiltion. The pant has a major after bloom pruning every other year and in alternate years, just a light clean up after the extended bloom period. after years of this treatment it stays nice and green and bushy at the bottom. it is well mulched and top dressed with pea gravel. companion planning at the bottom is sedum angelique ,planted amongst larger rock at the base of the arch it grows on.
it is one of my healthiest clems and i do give a fair share of the credit to the sunshine it receives.

here is another , younger ville de lyon planted with a prince charles. they make a nice combinition.

Thumbnail by ClematisGuru
Delaware, OH

those with a keen eye will see delightful little rubro marginata blooms peeking through the ville de lyon and prince charles.

Mackinaw, IL(Zone 5a)

Is anyone familiar with My Angel?

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/120382/

I have a lot of "flame" colors in the area where the trellis is going, with day lilies, glads, and dahlias, and am looking for a clematis to go with it. This one intrigues me--really different. I love all the purple and rosy and white clematis, though. . .maybe I should go for the contrast, not try to stick with the warm colors? I started looking at clematis at the Brushwood Nursery site, and next thing I knew, I had narrowed it down to about 35 clematis. LOL

Also fell in love with this climbing rose:

http://www.gardenvines.com/catalog/josephs-coat-climbing-rose-p-141.html

Anyone have good luck with it?

Maybe I should look at that rose, and a deep red clematis. . . Now I need to get some kind of trellis or support to put in with my cool colors out front, so I can add that Blue Light and some other more delicate looking clematis out there, too. Oooh, are they always this addictive?

Angie

Appleton, WI

Yes, they are that addictive.

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