The Great Wall of Purple
The Jackman Clematis (Clematis x jackmanii) reached its peak on Sunday. I can tell because that’s when the first purple petals dropped to the ground. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this year we extended the trellis all the way up to the rain gutters, and the Jackman Clematis took full advantage of the new space for climbing.
It is not an exaggeration to say that while in bloom this plant has become a neighborhood landmark – this year even more so than in the past.
Cars actually do stop in the street in front of our house. Fortunately, it is not a busy street. Passing strangers ask about our secret Clematis-growing technique (I wish we had one).
I myself find the mass of rich purple flowers more than a little mesmerizing.
Just to be clear on the question of scale, I am just under 6′ tall. The Clematis is more than double that.
Here’s a view from the side. The Jackman Clematis has filled both sides of the trellis with blooms where it has been allowed to do so.
Looking upward.
And a view from the sidewalk in front of the house.
Just recently I finished reading The Plant Lover’s Guide to Clematis, by Linda Beutler. An excellent book, and I’ll post a review of it soon. One thing I learned is that cutting back this Clematis by half after it is done blooming will get you a second flush of blooms in late summer or early fall. Can’t wait to see if it works.
gardeninacity 
Love this. Purple is one of my favorite colors.
Same here!
Oh, man! That’s something else.
Thanks.
Super jealous of this mass of purple! Wow doesn’t seem to cover it. Outstanding – will be interested in seeing if cutting it back will bring a second flush of blooms.
Me too!
I adore this great wall of purple. Good name for it too! My Clematis is also this deep purple color, and it will be so fun to see if the second blooming becomes reality!! Thanks for the tip!!
You’re welcome!
Absolutely fantastic. Wonderful. You deserve the clematis prize of the season.
OK, I’ll get to work on my acceptance speech.
It is common in the UK to cut them back and they do usually flower again maybe not quite so exuberantly as yours is now. What a wonderful sight!
Thanks. That’s good to know about standard practice in the UK.
Freakin awesome!!!!! It’s a rock star of a show. just planted my first serious clematis “Mrs robert brydon” iv had others that were hand me downs never had a place for them but this one I picked just for the place!!!
Thanks, Nicole! I hope your ‘Mrs. Brydon’ performs really well for you.
Glorious! Well done on your landmark.
Thanks.
Wow, it really is fabulous. No wonder people stop their cars in the street to have a good look!
Fortunately we don’t get a lot of traffic.
Surely that is a great wall of intense and vibrant purple. Wonderful beauty.
Thank you!
Every time you post a photo I’m in awe. So…what are your suggestions for success with this plant? I really want a Clematis that has more than five blooms. 🙂
Honestly, I can’t suggest anything that isn’t commonly suggested in magazines. I think this Clematis likes alkaline soil, which we have. Also growing on a west-facing brick wall, with warm afternoon sun magnified by the heated bricks. Also it’s right by the outdoor water faucet so it gets extra drinks. And I give it a generous helping of compost every year.
It is truly amazing. I also have a Jackmanni where the trellis is way too short. I will try to extend it like you did, because it really looks much better, than when it has folded back on itself.
Yes, I think so too. Let’s the plant make the most of its potential.
What a beauty. That purple walk is an amazing sight.
Thank you.
As we would say in Maine, that is some wall of purple. Magnificent!
Well, maybe just a little magnificent.
That is amazing, magnificent, no wonder people stop and stare!
WOW!!! If my Niobe Clematis ever gets going, I hope it does half as well as your Jackman.
I’ve never seen Niobe – good luck with it!
Gorgeous!!! I would have stopped, too. 🙂
You should stop, knock on the door, have some coffee and cake, and tour the garden!
What a lovely sight!
This is what you call WOW factor. Do you cut yours to the ground or trim it in any certain way?
I cut it back to about 18″ in late winter, cutting just above a pair of strong buds.
Wow, you should be on the local news with that display! Absolutely gorgeous! Well done! 🙂
Now that is impressive! I like the photo of you standing next to the trellis–great smile, and it gives perspective on how large/tall the vines have grown.
Thanks!
Hello Jason, that really is stunning and I’m just speechless. The picture of you proudly showing it off gives a sense of scale and it looks so striking against the white of the house. I’m surprised you don’t have rows of rear-ended cars on your road with a display like that!
wow !! amazing !!
Thanks!
Fantastic!
That’s one of the biggest I’ve seen and it’s a beautiful thing!
Thanks!
What a stunning display the Clematis has made. It deserve a post of its own, and has a cheery affect on me in the middle of winter!
Glad to hear it!
That is really impressive. I wish I had one clematis producing half the blooms yours puts out.
Your clematis posts always give me a bad case of clematis envy! I don’t seem to be able to provide clematis with the right conditions to make it truly happy; I’m thrilled to have four flowers open simultaneously. 😐
Perhaps a different variety would perform better for you.
LOL, This is the variety that is performing better: it comes back every year and always blooms!
Drop dead gorgeous!
Thanks!
It is magnificent! I look forward to reading of its progress after it’s cut back. Good luck!
Yikes. It’s absolutely stunning. Please do keep us informed on if you get a second bloom.
Will do!
Drooling and jealous….
Absolutely spectacular!
Goodness that is one happy happy clematis. I hope you get the second flush. spectacular.
I hope so too!
That’s a showstopper for sure. Now I am excited to see what the Clematis that I adopted from the plant orphanage at work will do. If it is even a fraction as vigorous as yours, I will have to rethink its support system.
There’s always the next year to remake the trellis.
Now that is something to shout about!!! Magnificent! Just love the man and his clematis shot!xxx
Thanks!
You should get an award. No kidding.
I’ll work on my acceptance speech.
It is really climbing. Looks great.
Thanks!
All I can say is Wow!
Wow, Jason, that is some show! Love everything about it.
Thanks, Pat! It’s become one of the annual highlights of our garden.