Recently, gardeners have shown an increased interest in clematis. This is explained by the fact that the species of this representative of the buttercup family can be used both as herbaceous crops, and as a shrub or liana. This is what makes clematis simply indispensable in landscape design.
Description
The name of this plant is translated from Greek as “creeper branch” or “vine shoot”. In the genus, there are about two hundred and thirty varieties. Among them there are deciduous, and evergreen, and even large-flowered clematis, photos of which can often be seen in specialized magazines.
Of the many names that this liana is called - grandfather's curls, warthog, etc. - in Russia they often use “clematis”. Apparently, this was called clematis because of the strong smell of its roots or because the seeds had a strongly bent outgrowth.
In total, in nature, there are about three hundred species of this representative of buttercups, which are found on all continents, except Antarctica: in the steppes, forests, in gorges along river banks and on rocky placers.
Clematis leaves - simple or complex - paired. They consist of seven, five or three leaflets. In addition to the usual green leaves, varieties with a purple color are also found. Clematis flowers, as a rule, are bisexual, collected in inflorescences with various shapes - in the scutellum, panicle or semi-umbrella. The role of the petals is played by the sepals. In the center of simple flowers are the so-called lush “spiders” with many pistils and stamens. Often they have a different color than the "petals", which gives the plant a special charm.
Delicate flowers are sometimes very whimsical painted: in white, yellow, all the nuances of the transition from pale blue or pink to shimmering shades of blue and red. Some species exude the aroma of almond, jasmine or primrose.
Classification
With all the variety of varieties, types and forms of clematis, there is a division convenient for gardeners, which makes it possible not only to easily group flowers by shape and color, choosing the appropriate agricultural technology for them. In addition to dividing into shrubby, grassy and curly forms, the plant is classified according to the most important characteristic. This is the size of the flower, based on the size of which there are both small-flowered species - up to five centimeters in diameter, and large-flowered clematis, the varieties and shapes of which, judging by the photographs, are especially beautiful and spectacular.
Correctly choosing the type of plant, you can achieve its flowering in the garden, from spring until mid-autumn. After all, the early varieties are covered with buds two months after awakening from winter, and the late ones from the end of summer.
Small-flowered clematis is characterized by abundant flowering, and their original seed heads adorn clematis in the fall. In addition, they are very undemanding, easily propagated by seeds and give a lot of green mass.
Large-color subspecies
Clematis owes its popularity with flower growers, including professionals, primarily to varieties of this type. For planting, for example, in the north-west in the European part of our country, as well as in Siberia and the Far East, where summers are relatively short and severe frosts are observed in winter, it is better to choose early or mid-early clematis large-flowered varieties from the Vititsella, Jacquman or Integrifolia group which blooms profusely on the shoots of the current year.
For those who are just starting to get acquainted with this amazing plant, it is best to pay attention to those species that do not need to conserve shoots for the winter. Having planted just such varieties, lovers will see how easy it is to get a richly flowering chic plant for their summer cottage.
Features
Large-flowered Clematis is overwhelmingly represented by hybrid varieties. Among them, there are such subgroups of this plant that bloom on the shoots of last year, as well as those whose buds appear on new branches.
For example, Jacqueman, Vititzella or Integrifolia clematis belong to the latter variety. In the fall, they need to be cut, leaving two buds at a distance of ten to twenty centimeters from the surface. There is one secret: it is noted that if one or two strong and healthy twigs are left untouched, the next flowering clematis will be more plentiful.
Another feature: the bulk of the large-flowered clematis buds are observed precisely in the upper sections of the shoots. This circumstance must be taken into account when constructing the appropriate supports for the plant.
Landing and care
Clematis seedlings need to be purchased in autumn or spring. You can’t buy layering at the end of spring or - even worse - in the summer, because at this time the young clematis is large-flowered vulnerable and takes root very poorly. When landing, you should choose a sunny area or partial shade. The flowers of this plant, whether it be white large-flowered clematis or, for example, Franziska Maria, have a characteristic feature: they are always turned towards the light.
They need to be planted in fertile loose soil with good drainage. After planting, the stem must be strengthened on a support, then it is good to water and mulch the grass. Large-flowered clematis should be watered from a watering can without a nozzle once a week, but if the heat is strong, then three times. Avoid getting water on the flowers.
Subspecies
Large-flowered clematis is very effective. Many of its varieties are great for decorating walls and fences. They look great on vertical garden gratings, such as clematis large-flowered Omoshiro, as well as on arches. They are often used in the landscape design of gazebos.
Large-flowered Clematis is divided into the following groups: Jacquman, varieties of the woolly appearance of Lanuginoza, spreading Patens, purple Vititsela, Florida, and whole-leaf Integrifolia. All of them differ not only in color and size, but also in the place where the buds appeared - on last year's or current year's shoots.
Representatives of the Jacqueman Group
This group has received the most recognition from amateur gardeners. The reason is the huge colors, which are incredibly beautiful. Moreover, some representatives of this group are so similar to Lanuginoza clematis that only specialists can distinguish them. In appearance, these are large vines with a well-developed root system. Their shoots with proper care reach four meters. Flowering occurs on the branches of the current year, it is plentiful and quite long - from early June to mid-September.
Varieties of the group, such as clematis large-flowered Jeepsie Quinn, Ernest Markham, Space Melody, Hagley Hybrid, as well as Luther Burbank and many others, are easy to care for.
Lanuginoza Group
These varieties bloom twice. The first time they are abundantly covered with buds on the shoots of last year. This happens from June to October, and very weakly - on the branches of the current season from July to the end of September. They have large flowers, reaching up to twenty centimeters across. Compared with representatives of other groups, such as the clematis large-flowered Komtis de Busho, the number of sepals in Lanuginos is slightly less: from four to six. The flowers are mainly colored in blue, purple or purple shades. Pruning of these varieties is carried out in autumn: the shoots are cut almost to the level of the soil, while two or three buds are left on them. The most popular representatives of the Lanuginoz group are clematis Ballerina, Prince Hendrick, Ball of Flowers, Olympics-80, Nadezhda, etc.
Patens
These are early large-flowered clematis. Patens creepers grow to a length of three and a half meters. Flowering occurs on the shoots of last year and is very weak and quite rare - on the current.
For the winter, these varieties are trimmed only the faded part. Shortened vines hide from the cold. They have single, flat, star-shaped flowers that always point upward. In many varieties, they are terry or double. The diameter of the flowers reaches from ten to twenty-two centimeters with the number of sepals from six to eight. Representatives of the group, for example, clematis large-flowered Multi Blue, Lord Neville or Nelly Moser, are colored blue, there are light or dark purple, such as Andromeda.
Patens group clematis prefer fertile sandy loamy or loamy soils rich in humus and loose. They grow up to three meters, developing well in sunny areas. Some representatives, for example, clematis large-flowered Vivian Pennel, are very common in gardens with vertical gardening.
Vititsela Group
It is an ideal choice for beginner gardeners, since clematis varieties of this species are very easy to grow. Their creepers per season reach a length of up to three and a half meters. Flowering occurs on the shoots of the new year, it is plentiful and long from June to September. In autumn, the shoots of the Vititsela group need to be completely cut off.
Flowers appear single, double or semi-double, wide open. They are not as large as, for example, Jacqueman: their size reaches twelve centimeters with four to six sepals, but they are stunningly beautiful and painted in shades from pink-red to purple velvety tones. The most popular varieties are Purpurea Plena Elegance, Ville de Lyon, Vanguard, Madame Grunge, as well as the Forest Opera.
Florida
The group is also known as the Fortunei Group. These are varieties of shrub vines with shoots up to three meters. Flowering is carried out on the branches of the current year. Pruning is carried out as follows: in autumn, the shoots are shortened to a length of two meters, then they are carefully covered for the winter. The flowers of the representatives of this group are half-double or double open, they are directed upwards, and in diameter reach up to twelve centimeters. Their color is quite diverse, although mostly light colors are found. Varieties of clematis in this group are Joan of Arc and Mrs. Cholmondelli, as well as Proteus, Jacquemann Alba, etc.
Integrifolia
Its representatives are semi-shrub and semi-herb erect plants. Their lower lignified part is preserved for several years, while the upper dies off every year. Unlike other varieties of clematis, this group does not climb itself, although it forms a long climbing shoots. Under the weight of foliage and flowers, the branches lie on the ground, but if they are tied, they can be directed vertically. Shrubs reach a height of one and a half meters. Their flowers are beautiful, bell-shaped, with a diverse, but always bright color. The varieties of the Integrifolia group are Alyonushka, Durandi, Memory of the heart, Sizaya Bird, Arabella.