Beautiful elegant vines decorating any garden interior are clematis. They recently entered the entourage of Russian summer cottages of moderate latitude. This magnificent plant, representing the family Ranunculaceae, is widely distributed in nature in the subtropical climatic zones of the Northern Hemisphere. More than 300 species of clematis are strikingly different from each other, but they are all herbaceous or woody perennials.
In garden floriculture, clematis lianas are often used - decorative long-flowering crops that can replace a whole garden. Through the efforts of breeders, new varieties and hybrids are being introduced into the culture. But many gardeners who once fell in love with a particular variety remain faithful to it. They are grateful for the fireworks of colors that create a festive mood and decorate life.
We will talk about one of these popular and sought-after plants in this publication. This is the world famous clematis “Cardinal Rouge”. Photos of an exotic plant are presented in the article. They will demonstrate the beauty and sophistication of the king of the plant world.
Clematis Cardinal Rouge: Description
This hybrid is from the Jacqueman group. According to the international classification - group C (the type of plants forming flowers on the shoots of the current year). Bred in 1968 by French breeders.
Clematis "Cardinal Rouge" more than once received awards and first prizes of various prestigious international exhibitions. The hybrid is really interesting. It is a shrubby vine, the shoots of which reach three meters in length. Use the plant in vertical landscaping. According to reviews cultivating this hybrid in their own gardeners of flower growers, clematis "Cardinal Rouge" develop well in closed unsteady containers, decorating terraces and loggias. Cleverly supporting the support moderately, clematis blooms beautifully and generously. He is able to climb the trunks of small trees and the stems of shrubs.
Flowering features
The flowers of this decorative creeper are remarkable: large, cross-shaped, opened buds of deep purple color, like the red mantle of a medieval cardinal. They reach 15 cm in diameter and have a dense velvety structure. In the center of the flower are light stamens.
Clematis "Cardinal Rouge" are characterized by long flowering. It begins, as in many medium-late varieties, in July and ends in September. Each flower of the plant lives and retains an enviable decorativeness for 2-3 weeks.
Planting and growing
Clematis "Cardinal Rouge" do not like sunshine, preferring light partial shade with the sliding passage of the sun. The selected area must meet another mandatory criterion - protection from the wind, which is the enemy of all clematis. It is worthwhile to think carefully about the support structure that the plant needs. The height of such a structure should not be less than 1.5 m. A plant is planted in a pre-prepared planting hole measuring 0.5 * 0.5 m. The intervals between them should not exceed 0.7 m, since the shrub liana is quite spreading.
The soil is dug up on a bayonet of a shovel, introducing a humus bucket and 50 grams per square meter. superphosphate. Planting pits are filled by a third with soil, seedlings are placed in them, they are covered with earth, and they compact the surface of the soil around the plant. After planting, it is necessary to water the Clematis “Cardinal Rouge” abundantly. Responses of gardeners regarding the survival of seedlings vary somewhat, but experts are unanimous - quality care increases the rooting percentage to 80.
How to care for the culture?
Good resistance to traditional diseases distinguishes clematis "cardinal rouge". Reviews of gardeners with many years of experience growing this crop confirm not only resistance to diseases, but also very good winter hardiness.
However, it is necessary to cover the plant for a period of cold weather. Pre-shrub pruned, leaving shoots 0.2-0.25 m high above the soil surface. Each of them should have 2-3 pairs of growth buds. Such pruning stimulates branching and allows the plant to reach its full potential in summer flowering. Clematis "Cardinal Rouge", whose photos are presented in the publication, is incredibly beautiful. But a plant decorating its own garden is more fantastic and more decorative than any, even the best picture.