My cheap flowerbed

[thistlebloom]

Clem-u-tis, there are lots of things I don't know about the vines.

When I bought this house there was a rosebush on the north side. It was a huge rambler of some sort, it never bloomed that summer. The realtor had a photograph from the year prior when the house was 1st listed showing that rose bush - it wasn't blooming then either.

The rose was trying to get around the house and out of the shade. Maybe I should have just moved it but it went in the garbage can and I went looking for a clem-u-tis.

I had noticed a beautiful white one in my old neighborhood but after one season of bloom, it disappeared. Suspecting that some of these varieties weren't very hardy - I just went with Clematis jackmanii, the purple variety that seemed to do well everywhere around here. I've never known whether I could have had one of the stunningly lovely newer types.

The jackmanii didn't disappoint, however! I bought 2 and put 1 on the north side of the garage. The 1 on the house gets summer sun early and late in the day because we are so far north and that sun sure gets into the north sky. A fence and the chicken house blocks the afternoon sun for the clematis on the garage. It may die all the way back to the ground during a summer but makes adequate growth come spring so that it is, at least, noticeable. The 1 on the house is almost beyond the vine category and into a "landscape feature" class.

Steve

Steve, you say "CLEM-uh- tis" I say "clem-AT-tis"
either way they're beeyooteeful vines!!
Jackmanii are a good choice because they are so vigorous and just want to bloom. I bet yours are stunning!
I have about 17 at last count but so far no jackmanii (what's the matter with me? ) Fortunately I haven't run out of places to put them , and If I do I'll have to put in some random fence, or plant another tree.
It's very,very dangerous for me to go to a nursery and spot clematis, I just have to make some lame excuse to buy one.

My family probably doesn't mind peanut butter sandwiches....

 

[Southern Gardener]

thistle, that bed is beautiful!!! I don't have good luck with clem-AT-tis either. Mine always look sick. I'd love more shade so I can grow more hydrangeas and try hostas.

 

[journey11]

Your new flowerbed looks very nice! I like edging mine with rocks too. Are those native stones, or did you have to purchase them? What a great deal you got for your $20! I love astilbes. Yours look like they are ready to burst into bloom very soon.

 

[Carol Dee]

You have some very nice plants in there! Two of which I have NEVER had success. Astilbe and Clemetis I still have plenty of places for shade loving plants and would like to try the Astilbe again. Wish me luck (or post a tip!)

 

[thistlebloom]

Your new flowerbed looks very nice! I like edging mine with rocks too. Are those native stones, or did you have to purchase them? What a great deal you got for your $20! I love astilbes. Yours look like they are ready to burst into bloom very soon.

Thanks Journey!
The big rocks are definitely native, just picked up off the property, and a few were buried where I wanted to plant something.
Rocks aren't something you need to pay money for around here!

 

[thistlebloom]

Thanks for the kind words Southern and Carol Dee!
One thing about astilbes is that they don't like heat, especially if the soil is dry. They can curl up and make like a corn flake overnight.