The Name of My Favorite Plant
Blue Clematis
How I First Found Out About This Plant
My mom had a Jackmanni growing outside her back door ever since I was a little girl, and I always thought this blue clematis was so beautiful. A start from her vines lives at our house now!
How I Have Cared for This Plant
SUNSHINE and coooool feet (roots!) for them
Pests, Diseases or Other Problems for This Plant
I haven't had any (thank goodness) problems with my blue clematis, other than the trees surrounding the arbor block more and more of the sun, thus limiting the blooms at times.
Why I Love This Plant So Much
Clematis comes in so many varieties and depending on the variety you can have blooms from spring until fall. I plant a spring, summer, and fall bloomer close together so there is always beautiful foliage and blooms.
The beautiful blue clematis (in the photo) is the earliest and my favorite (don't tell the others!) My husband has deemed me a total "clemataholic" and....he is right. We have over 20 vines all blooming at different times.
Location: My Region, Location of the Plant in My Yard
Zone 5 Northeast Ohio; planted the blue clematis on the west side of our house that sits on a hill and gets a good bit of sun and on both sides of the arbor; well drained, rich soil. Lattice along the bottom half of the siding allows the vines to grow freely and gives the tendrils something to cling to.
Tips and Tricks
- Keep the roots cool; mulch is a big help. Clematis vine growth has been said to "sleep, creep, and leap" meaning the first year, not too much growth, second year, a little more growth and the third year BOOM and BLOOM, there they go! Definitely worth the wait (although they do bloom the first year).
