My Year of Living With ‘Betty’
Clematis viticella ‘Betty Corning’, that is. Person or plant, time together can bring greater understanding. At the same time, a hastily-made commitment to a plant (or a person) can bring pain and disappointment. These negative experiences could be avoided through careful consideration, which did not occur in relation to my first year with ‘Betty’.
My plan was to put two ‘Bettys’ on the west side of the Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia). Her small, pale lilac flowers (or lavernder blue, depending on who you ask) would balance the bright orange of the Tithonia.
A third ‘Betty’ was planted at the far end of the Sidewalk Border.
I provided each with a 3′ tomato cage to get them started, but my thought was that they would eventually scramble through the Tithonia and nearby perennials. The third ‘Betty’ was supposed to scramble through the asters and Monarda. None of them wanted to mingle with the annual Mexican Sunflower or the perennials, however.
That could be due to the fact that this was the first year for ‘Betty’, which fell short of its mature height of 6+ feet.
But even if they had met my expectations for scrambling through the other plants, it would have been a problem. That’s because ‘Betty Corning’ is in Clematis pruning group 2. Unlike Clematis jackmanii, ‘Betty Corning’ is not supposed to be cut back almost to the ground in spring. In fact, she should be subject to only restrained pruning.
So if ‘Betty’ had clambered through the other plants, I would have to cut her down to the ground every year during spring garden cleanup.
Fortunately, all is not lost. ‘Betty’ can recover from being cut to the ground, though flowering is reduced and/or delayed. Which is good, because I will probably have to cut her to the ground when I supply her with new 6′ tuteurs.
The other thing I found is that while ‘Betty’s’ blooms are fetching, this first year they began in June but waned in early August, rather than lasting until September as the catalogs promise. This means she is not a great companion for Tithonia, which blooms most intensely in late summer.
Despite this, I think with appropriate expectations and the right kind of support for ‘Betty’, this relationship can be saved.
gardeninacity 
I have Betty too. She is pretty but long gone in my garden so she wouldn’ t do to go with tithonia.
I guess her period of bloom varies considerably and just depends on the local climate.
I’ve had Betty in my garden for four years and I cut it back every year to about 6″ from the ground. It does bloom more into August and easily reaches 8′ in height.
A number of people are saying similar things. According to one of my go-to websites, though, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=258876&isprofile=0&, ‘Betty Corning’ shouldn’t be cut back hard.
Betty seems charming and dainty and although she didn’t fling herself into the arms of tithonia or the other perennials, I think you’re right to allow the relationships to develop slowly!
Thanks for the encouragement!
I have two Bettys, on the west side of the house, so they get afternoon sun (mostly). I cut mine down to about 18″ each fall, once the foliage dies back, and they return each spring like gangbusters. LOTS of blossoms, too. If left to its own devices, it gets HUGE and will pull down a trellis not firmly attached to something sturdy, like a house. I’ve been tempted to use it as a ground cover, it is that prolific. Next year I plan to control its rampant growth (if possible) by limiting the number of vines growing up from the base. We’ll see who the boss is! (Side note: I planted mine originally in 2006, moved them to their current location in 2009.)
Well, you’re the second commenter to say that about cutting back hard. Interesting.
Careful planning usually fails to produce desired results for me, so I fall back on happy accidents (or am I rationalizing a tendency toward laziness?). Whatever…Betty is a charmer, for sure. Please don’t give up on her.
Happy accidents may occur more often in the garden than successful plans, so who knows.
I’m glad you’re not only living with Betty but her triplet sisters, too. It sounds a bit like plant bigamy, but hey, the more the merrier! 😉
A Clematis harem!
The nodding blossoms are unusual, but pretty.
That’s what I thought.
Well, it seems you are very tolerant with your plants so Betty will be fine in the end, and I think, a plant with a pleasant blossom is always worth tolerating.
Tolerance is practically my middle name.
I find such plans rarely work with me too and just let things happen for better or worse! 😉 I do hope it works out with you and Betty!
Thanks. I guess it doesn’t pay to be too controlling in the garden.
Betty belongs to pruning group 3, sorry 😉
Now I am thoroughly confused! One of my favorite websites says group 2! http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=258876&isprofile=0&
I always order straight from a famous Clematis breeder in Germany and I never order group 2 clematis. Westphal says it’s a viticella clem and RHS etc. say the same.
All relationships take patience and understanding…and sometimes forgiveness. Betty is worth it:^)
I suppose you’re right.
What you wrote about Betty is true for so many other plants. And, of course, people.
I’m glad you agree.
I’ve never grown “Betty,” but have been tempted to over many years. Perhaps…..
Why not see if ‘Betty’ is right for your garden?
I’ve had many plant plans that didn’t work out. Betty is such a lovely lady that I hope she does well for you–she might be much happier with the new tuteurs.
I hope so – we’ll see.
Hello Jason, my relationship with Clematis usually involves them ending up dead and me moving on to another unfortunate plant and repeating the same experience, like some kind of terrible serial killer B-movie on a mean budget. I hope your relationship ends up better than mine!
So far my relationships with Clematis has been more like a romcom.
She is very pretty – I’m glad that you’ll be able to continue your relationship instead of filing for divorce 😉
And divorce is so expensive.
The relationship with Betty is well worth your while. She is such a lovely lady and I think you will appreciate her to the utmost when you get the technical difficulties taken care of. Best of luck.
Thanks! I’m not ready to give up yet!
She really is cute so worth persevering with, she will no doubt do you proud next year.xxx
I think you’re right. We’ll see.
The trials and tribulations of Betty. Be patient
That is my intention.