Clematis 'The First Lady'
clematis (group 2)
This climber is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: fertile, well-drained, neutral soil
- Rate of growth: average to fast growing
- Flowering period: June to September
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Smokey mauve-blue flowers, which often have a pink flush, will usually appear non-stop throughout summer on this hard-working climber. Because of its subtle blend of colours, it's easy to mix with a wide range of pinks and purples, and as it remains relatively compact, it's ideal for smaller gardens or patio pots. - Garden care: Remove dead and damaged stems before growth begins in early spring, cutting all remaining stems back to where strong buds are visible. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser and a mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant in early spring.
- Humans: Skin irritant; Pets: Harmful if eaten
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Goes well with
Large Flowered Clematis
It is difficult not to get excited about this fabulous group of plants. Their big, bold, brightly coloured flowers, coupled with their versatile growth habits, make this one of the most popular plant groups of all time. There is no secret to their success
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Clematis Wilt is usually characterized by a complete collapse of either the entire plant, just one of the shoots, or just part of a shoot. The foliage will turn black and the veins take on a purple colour. Large-flowered cultivars are particularly suscept
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There are different symptoms which point to honey fungus, some or all of them may be present at one time. Also, death can take years or be virtually instantaneous with plants being suddenly stopped in their tracks, half-opened leaves just frozen in time.
Read full articleFebruary pruning of trees, shrubs and climbers
The garden is at its most dormant right now, so it’s a good time to catch up on any pruning missed or forgotten since the autumn. If the weather isn’t favourable, you can leave it for a week or two, but make sure all winter pruning is completed before the
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If you want to clothe your fences with flowers from spring to autumn but are overwhelmed by choice, then this article should help.
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