Clematis help!

[Karen]

I know next to nothing about clematis, yet I have a gorgeous one in my yard. The articles I have read say some can be clipped back, some can not. I have no idea what type I have!

It looks like this -

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/ABBYMEWCAT/flowers/DSC04952.jpg

The problem is that currently the bottom part of it is all brown and dried up.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/ABBYMEWCAT/DSC08782.jpg

Should I be clipping it back at some point, either in the spring or fall?

[neetanddave]

That looks like my Jackmanni variety, but there are a few purples that are similar.

They normally start to shrivel from the ground up, about this time of year. They have done their thing for this season. I do mulch heavily around the base, mine is not as far gone as yours seems to be.

I do not trim mine, as they product better flowers on old wood.

[Steve]

They can indeed be clipped back and the time of season does not really matter that much. Yours is obviously as healthy as it can be. Those blooms are gorgeous! It's funny, the rap on Clematis is "Feet in the shade, head in the sun" which, judging by your pic is not the case. I take it your climate has enough cloudy days to mitigate the time it spends in the sun. I would advise any Summer clipping back to be more a matter of "thinning" and waiting til Winter to cut it back to the old woody brances.

[Catfriend]

I hope no one minds if I restart this thread. I want to get a clematis but I don't know what variety to choose. Can anyone point me to a good resource to learn about these lovely flowers?
By the way, I live on the Oregon coast, so I hope there are some that can withstand damp, cool and windy weather!
Thanks,
Catfriend

[neetanddave]

I have good luck with most Clematis, but our weather is totally different from yours.

I'll do some searching and see if I can find something on one for you! :D

[Steve]

Catfriend, I don't think I have welcomed you to the forum myself, so let me take this opportunity to do so. It's delightful having you! :SmilieDaisy:

I lived in Portland for 4 years, not that long ago, so I am pretty familiar with your zone. Turns out, I also know a bit about the Coast as well. My sister taught Junior High Math in Coquille, lol.

You're in luck! There are very few varieties of Clematis that would not absolutely love the conditions on the Oregon Coast. However, before we address species, know this: Clematis is not a terribly strong plant in terms of enduring the high winds you guys get. Make sure, especially before cold weather starts, that you have the vine well-bound to a trellis. You can find 100 year old Clematises whose basic stock vine is about a half inch across, lol. They are semi-fragile. Mind you, those little trunks put out huge plants, lol, of impressive size and blooms. I was always amazed such a small origin could produce such a humongous vine.

You have an almost endless variety of Clematis to opt for where you live. Always bear in mind the "feet in the shade, head in the sun" rule, even there though. Sometimes, it can be something as simple as a shrub or even a tall perennial or annual supplying the "shade". The vine will grow, no matter where it is placed, but blooming requires sun. Also, the soil wants to be a bit acidic so use goodly amounts of compost when planting.

Here are some excellent links:

The Clematis Society: http://clematis.org/home/index

Clematis.com: http://www.clematis.com/html-docs/homepage.html

[Catfriend]

Gosh, thank you!!

[neetanddave]

Dang, Steve is back with a vengeance. Great links! :D

[Steve]

:jive: This is they way I want it, actually. It took some getting here, lol. I'm just delighted everyone likes this place, frankly. I will, ahem, "endeavor to persevere"...........lol.