Looks a lot like one of mine. Don't remember the name, though. Like mine, it can be pruned early in the spring and flower shortly after (group II). Mine has been growing for about 20 years on the west side of the house.
I like it because of it's shorter nature and long bloom time.
I recently replaced my mailbox AGAIN because something clipped the door so it doesn't close appropriately. Otherwise it's fine.
Saw this http://www.fleamarketgardening.org/2014/10/18/make-a-garden-planter-from-a-mailbox/ and thought "that would be fun to do" so figured wrap some wire around the post for the clematis fleuri to climb (and it's shorter stature will fit so nicely). Might still do jackmani or something else if I can't find a fleuri to grow there. But the fleuri I think would be great.
First one was a gal who was texting and driving. I was cutting grass and she blasted that one with her passenger mirror. Saw the whole thing. She stopped saw the mirror & sped away. I was at a bad angle to a plate or make on the vehicle. So had to replace that one.
This last time it was backed into by some kind of large truck or heavy equipment. Just bent it enough to loosen it do it wasn't stable & bent the door so it won't close.
So I saved that one for some reason & saw the article & thought "BULLSEYE!!!!"
So anyway I'm putting together my wish list for a small flower bed. ANYTHING to bring some character to this landscaping.
What a fun planter! Hmmm...I think I saved our old mailbox, have to go dig around in the shed.
I also like the ones used to store small tools in the garden...and I have a bunch of old license plates I could use for a label too!
Where were you thinking of putting your mailbox planter Jared?
A Jackmani might overwhelm your post and box in a few years, might be better to go with a smaller size clem.
I used a 600 lb monolith shaped boulder and securely fastened the mailbox on top of it. If anyone crashes into it, they will have one heck of a auto shop bill for their car.
@thistlebloom I'm not sure yet. Maybe something simple like million bells get 2 3" pots of those replant them into a rectangle shaped planter that will fit the mailbox. Maybe a geranium for some height, I'm just not sure yet.
It will definitely be an annual or annuals so I can swap it out every year to get what I like in there. Plus it will be too exposed to have something come back after winter. Plus the long bloom time on annuals helps the cause. The biggest thing is what color to paint the mailbox? I liked the blue they did but just not sure it fits in. Leave it black? Silver? Maybe I'll scuff it up & add some salt water or peroxide to age it a bit.
Thought it would be fun to have a trailing plant so it appears to be "spilling out" of the mailbox as the season goes on.
If I could close it I would put tools in it (but then I wouldn't have a mailbox to convert to a planter. However ours won't stay closed so it's going to get a haircut to make it a planter.
It will get a post, wire around that to support the clematis. Thinking maybe a pure white rose like Pope John Paul. A white like that would be a stunning contrast against the clematis. And really bring out the color of the clematis. Add some iris or softer yellow day lilies for contrasting leaf shape & the yellow accent would be just enough.
Maybe some peonies......and would have to have creeping phlox as a ground cover. I'm just thinking out loud here.....