It’s Clematis Time!
When we returned from DC we discovered that the Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ had entered into its peak bloom period.
This clump of Clematis reaches from the ground up to the roof, and then a little bit further. It’s actually three vines, the original and two offspring.
How can anyone resist those big purple flowers?
This may sound like hyperbole, but this burst of Clematis bloom is considered an annual event by the dog walkers and others who regularly pass by on foot. I know because they’ve told me. Really.
This year’s display, while certainly pretty good, is not quite up to the standards of the recent past. The last couple of years the entire wall above was a great mass of rich purple. In the current year, however, patches of white trellis can be seen and the blooms are not so dense.
I suspect that this year’s less spectacular showing is the result of my chronic inability to follow directions. I had gotten the misconception that this Clematis should be cut back by half after blooming, and last year I did so for the first time. However, this was entirely wrong.
I just checked my source, which is The Plant Lovers Guide to Clematis, by Linda Beutler. What the author actually says is that you can cut ‘Jackmanii’ back by half (instead of to 18″) in February and you will get blooms about a month early. Cutting it back in July simply reduced the amount of energy captured by the foliage for the following year’s flower display.
In any case, all the Clematis news isn’t about ‘Jackmanii’. In the Driveway Border, ‘Betty Corning’ is still going strong.
And Clematis ‘Multi-Blue’ is preparing for a second round of blooms. It flowers in May on old growth, then has a burst of new growth producing a new bunch of buds. Nice to see a plant behave like it’s supposed to. ‘Ice Blue’, on the other hand, is resting now after producing a second round of flowers earlier in June.
How are the Clematis doing in your garden these days?
gardeninacity 
Absolutely stunning!!!
Thanks.
Your clematis look great and I admire that each one has it’s own spot with it’s own support. Mine are left to fend for themselves and it’s a lucky day when the blooms come up and can be seen. I really need to work out a few supports!
I like to spread the wealth around. Supports can be a challenge. For the ‘Jackmanii’ we had to attach wooden lattice to the wall with masonry nails.
I look forward to seeing your wonderful Clematis each year.
I agree with your neighbours – a lovely annual event worth putting on the calendar! 🙂
Bell-shaped clematis is gorgeous, Jason!
I have six. One big white one, three very spindly pink ones, and two new purple ones about 4″ tall. Nothing here that would rival yours. 🙂
Give them time.
Gorgeous! I can believe people stop and remark on its beauty! It wasn’t a great year for the clematises in my gardens–the trellis supporting ‘Nelly Moser’ fell down over the winter, so she’s been slow and not as prolific as usual (I did put the trellis back up), and someone came along and ate all the buds off ‘Jackmanii’! Not sure if was deer or woodchuck. It was the first time that’s ever happened, and hopefully the last! I have to admit that I’ve never cut any of my clematises back–I’m so scared I’ll do it at the wrong time! Normally, it’s a system that’s worked out well for me! (Not sure I’d even be able to find ‘Jackmanii’ in a normal February to cut it back!)
Do you do any fertilizing? I know of people who swear by Epsom salts around their clematis, but I’ve also read that it really does no good and perhaps even harms them.
I don’t use Epsom salts but I give the Clematis a generous helping of compost every year, plus some balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Really? Why would it be so hard to find?
My thinking is that Jackmanii would be buried under a couple-few feet of snow in a “normal” February, and thus, hard to find! Of course, I barely remember what a normal winter is . . .
Glorious! Alas,no clematis at the little house in the big woods.
You have some wonderful Clematis vines! I can see why your ‘Jackmanii’ bloom is an annual, anticipated event–it’s spectacular. I only have two patches of ‘Nelly Moser,’ and while I love them, they peak in May. The seedheads are fascinating, though, and they persist through the winter. I think that’s true of all Clematis plants?
I think so, though I’m not sure, which tells you how observant I am.
That’s certainly a nice welcome home greeting somewhat akin to the excited welcome dance done by dogs. Your clematis must have missed you. My clematis are always a jumble of foliage and wiry vines as I never really prune them other than to use the hedge trimmer to keep the ones on the arbor from dangling into people’s eyes as they pass by. Funny, some folks just don’t enjoy being hit in the face by flowers. Go figure.
What do you think they want to hit them in the face instead?
You are doing something right with those clematis. What’s your secret?
It’s a secret even from me.
Wow, what a nice welcome home from your garden!!! DC was great and I really enjoyed talking with you and Judy : )
We really enjoyed dinner together! We should do that again.
Need to come up and see the gardens of Chicago. Last time I was there it was ice and -20 at night 😲
I don’t grow jackmani but my grandmother did and it is one of my few plant memories from childhood. Such a spectacular flower.
Agreed!
It doesn’t surprise me that the Jackmanii is a neighborhood talking point. It looks fabulous.
I don’t have any clematis but yours is fabulous. The Jackmanii looks like velvet.
I remember your spectacular Jackmanii from last year. What a wonderful sight.
Your Jackmanii is to die for. My clematis are still babies so they’ve not done much yet. I know Jackmanii will grow here so perhaps this fall I’ll get one.
They’re slow to get big but very rewarding.
Great clematis, Jason! I am intrigued by Betty Corning; I like the bell shape and am now thinking of where I could put “just one more” into my garden. It was great meeting you and Judy in person at the Fling.
From what I recall you’ve got a good deal of space to play with! We enjoyed meeting you and hope we see you again.
That Jackmanii is still one of the nicest I’ve seen. I’d be very happy with it.
We are happy, but we have high standards.
Clematis here are on hiatus for the most part. The early ones are finished. My Jack is finished with the big flush but has some blooms still. Rooguchi has several little blooms on it but it doesn’t get enough sun to do much. I should move it but I hate the thought that it might not live if I move it. The double blue has done it’s major bloom and now has a late flower on it. That is how it goes here right now with the clematis. I really like your jack. Amazing how prolifically it blooms. The perfect spot and a trellis that encourages growth and space for blooms.
Maybe if you move the Rooguchi in the early fall while it is cool but there’s still time to root?
What a wonderful welcome home! Your clematis is really stunning and such a wonderful colour!
I must say that I’m beginning to look forward to seeing jackmannii each year, what a jewel!!! Not at all surorised passers by admire it. That is always so satisfying! You must have the perfect soil for clematis, they like it here too.xxx
If I lived in your neighborhood, I would certainly make excuses to walk by your house in order to enjoy that amazing wall of purple flowers!
And you’d be more than welcome to drop by!
How do you do this? I planted two Clemantis, one two years back, another one last year – right next to my climber roses. Not a single flower to show, so far. I have no idea, what I do wrong. Got any tips?