My clematis is so completely covered in these sky blue flowers that you can hardly see the leaves.
I had no idea that any clematis could be so prolific. Well it is – and I can only gaze in admiration.
Last night it rained heavily and I thought the flowers would be scattered on the ground but by this morning after only one or two casualties it is as bright as ever. To prove it to you I took this photo – after the rain.
As you can see I planted the clematis in a large pot but I have trained some of the tendrils along the black wrought iron fence behind it.
Now this clematis has had a rather interesting history. I bought it about two years ago as a young sapling with three plate-sized flowers.
It grew well and by the end of the summer it needed secure staking. But then winter came and robbed it of every bit of greenery. It looked like a mound of dry sticks. All the stalks were dry and lifeless. So I cut it right down to the base and hoped it would survive.
By spring, my clematis, undeterred, began to grow shoots from the base. And during summer we had quite a nice show.
This recent winter it was very cold and frosty and once again the clematis was reduced to a mound of dry sticks. But this time I decided not to prune at all so I only removed the dry leaves. The sticks seemed deader than ever but I decided to wait it out.
And what luck that I did!
Spring swept in quickly
And the clematis sprang to life in a matter of days. Every dead stalk sprouted leaves and buds in quick succession. There were fat buds all over the plant, peeping out from every possible corner and crevice.
And overnight they burst open into this spectacular display of blue flowers.
So now I am left with the question – is pruning such a desirable thing after all?
It’s a question that I will be looking at more closely when I chat about the results of the vicious pruning that my roses endured during July.
And about that litter of clematis babies that I told you about last time – well I have managed to propagate a lovely new plant – pictures to follow in due course. She isn’t very photogenic yet!
If you have had any experience with clematis, please tell me about it. Any tips will be most welcome. As I mentioned previously, clematis is rather new to me as we had previously lived at the coast.
So all you clematis lovers out there please pop in with any tips or advice because I have become an ardent fan!
Wow, Wow, Wow !!!!!
Your Sky Blue Clematis Is wonderful and what a lovely idea to train it over the railings. I have fallen in love with it.
Can you Please tell me the name of it as I really want one now.
Many thanks,
Von x
Hi Von
Yes, it really is stunning when in full bloom in spring. And since that photo was taken it has now wrapped itself all along the railings and it makes a much bigger show! It’s quite a conversation piece.
I wish I could give you the name of this particular variety but unfortunately the label with the details has long since disintegrated with the rain and weather. I can only suggest that you visit a nursery as I did and grab the one that first catches your eye. I promise you it will be love at first sight and you may even find a better one. You simply can’t go wrong. Let me know how you get on.
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for getting back to me. It’s such a shame that you don’t know the name of your blue Clematis.
Which month does yours flower, maybe I could find it if I knew that. Or does it depend on which country you live in as to when it starts to flower ? I am in England.
I have looked at quite a lot of Clematis online which are ‘blue’, but when I ask questions, they usually turn out to be pale purple !!!
Take Care,
Von 🙂
Hi Von
My clematis is always at its best in spring and that would apply regardless of which country you live in. So this really is the time to be on the lookout for your clematis as they will all be at their best and in flower now. I live in South Africa and we are moving into winter so my Clematis is brown and bedraggled at the moment!
When I bought my clematis it only had one flower but it was bright blue. I don’t think that the true blues will change colour.
Here are a few names of blue varieties but I’m almost sure that mine was not one of them. ‘Mrs. Cholmondeley’, ‘Ramona’, ‘Lord Nevill’, ‘Ascotiensis’, ‘Betty Corning.’ I seem to remember that mine had something royal about it like king or duke or something like that!
If I get any more information about the variety you want I will pass it on to you.