CROSSVILLE —
If you add a clematis to your landscape this fall or in February or March next year, remember to keep track of the varietal name and characteristics of your vine. Clematis start slowly, needing no pruning the first two or three years. If the need arises, time trimming according to the pruning category in which your specimen belongs. Groups 2 and 3 have been detailed in prior articles. Here is the rundown on that last pruning classification and names of some cultivars in it.
Clematis Pruning Group 3 (at times called Group C) contains primarily plants that bloom on new wood (current season’s growth). Flower buds develop on new shoots formed in spring and early summer. Bloom time is summer through autumn. Winter cold won’t curtail flowering, but a spring and/or early summer drought or delaying pruning until summertime could limit blossoms for that season.
Prune in late winter while the plant is dormant. Cut back to four buds per stem (10 to 12 inches above the soil line). New growth develops above the cuts, and those shoots bear flowers. If not cut back for many years, lower stems of some in this category will be bare and woody producing neither leaves nor flowers. Cut back in late winter to rejuvenate them. Regular pruning also keeps vigorous growers in check.
The large-flowered hybrids in this group (usually Jackmanii and crosses with Jackmanii in their parentage) are susceptible to fungal wilt and are rarely scented. Ernest Markham (5-6 inch magenta blooms with gold anthers in summer), Rouge Cardinal (4-6 inch crimson red blossoms), and Romantika (4-5 inch deep, dark purple summertime blooms) are large-flowered cultivars that should do well in Tennessee. Clematis viticella, Clematis terniflora (aka C. paniculata and Sweet Autumn Clematis) and Clematis texensis (native to Texas) all have a profusion of small blooms.
Small-flowered clematis rarely get clematis wilt. Some have fragrant blossoms. C. viticella varieties to look for are Polish Spirit (3-4 inch, deep purple blooms June to September) and Purpurea Plena Elegans (2-3 inch double rose-purple flowers in late summer). Sweet Autumn Clematis is NOT a recommended choice despite its fragrant, white, star-shaped blossoms. In some situations this cultivar can be an invasive, weedy pest plant.
Clematis grow between 6 and 30 feet high. Have sufficient space and a support (mailbox, fence, trellis, tree, light pole) tall enough and sturdy enough for your variety. Clematis vine leaf stalks act like tendrils wrapping around any thin upright to cling. Attaching plastic netting or fish line to the base of a support will help the vine climb. The Mary’s Greenhouse suggestion at www.marysgh.com is a good one: “Carefully attach the bottom of the vine to a cane. Lean the cane over to the trellis, etc. that the clematis is to climb. Then push that cane into the soil so the vine stem is fairly stable. This helps keep the stem from being broken or weakened by animals, weather, etc. Not damaging the base of a newly planted clematis is important.”
There is a PVC trellis plan that costs about $12. Buy three 10-foot sections 3/4-inch PVC pipe, ten 3/4-inch PVC tee connectors, two 3/4-inch PVC elbows and two 3/4-inch PVC end caps. Cut the PVC pipe to size with a miter saw. Cut seventeen 18” and two 12” PVC pipe pieces. Assemble the base in a ladder-like pattern with five 18” horizontal rungs and ten 18” uprights. Join with tees. See lay out photo. Put a 12” upright above the top tee on either side. Cap one end of the remaining 18” pieces to make "legs" to hold the trellis away from the building. Use an elbow to join the top 12” upright on each side to the open end of a capped 18” piece.
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Plateau Gardening is written by Master Gardeners for gardeners in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland Region. UT Extension Cumberland County at P.O. Box 483, Crossville, TN 38557 (484-6743) has answers to horticulture questions, free publications and details on how to become a Master Gardener. Send email comments or yard and garden inquiries to Master Gardener Rae, mgardenerrae@frontiernet.net.
Lifestyles
PLATEAU GARDENING: Pruning, supporting hardy clematis vines
- Lifestyles
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CCHS Class of 1963 congratulates Class of 2013
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Putt for the Cure miniature golf tournament a success
Kids of all ages enjoyed a fun outing of miniature golf Saturday at the first Putt for the Cure event, presented by Dr. Calley Jo Elsea of Cloudland Dental, to benefit the Upper Cumberland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players teams up with sponsors and host Pirates Plateau Golf Adventure to raise funds to help area women get needed screening exams, support patients and survivors, educate the public and support national research initiatives.
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Around the Town: Attendance is the Key to success in Cumberland County!
High school attendance is up and 10 cars have been given away. This is all thanks to some forward thinking educators along with Dave and Connie Kirk and the staff at Dave Kirk Automotive. This year marks the 10th anniversary, or a decade, of what the high school students call "Dave Kirk Drawing Day." Or, in layman's terms, some junior or senior from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School or Phoenix School wins a brand spanking new vehicle.
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End of another great year for Neighbors and Newcomers
Referred to as the "best little club on the mountain," Neighbors and Newcomers will be holding its last meeting of the year May 23. After a fun-filled, interesting and exciting year, the group will enjoy this end-of-the-year lunch at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.
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Seniors to visit Sutton General Store May 18
On May 10, the members of the 127 Senior Center had a good time socializing, playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by Arlene Simmons, with the prizes furnished by Bob Folger, with State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published May 15, 2013.
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Pow-wow set for May 18-19
Everyone is invited to come attend the educational and cultural event, Pow-Wow on the Plateau "Honoring All Survivors" on May 18 and 19 at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds. There will be many Indian tribes and dance styles represented. Bert Cox will be the master of ceremonies.
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PLEASANT HILL RAMBLINGS: Therapy gym opens at Uplands
Functional Pathways, Inc. is the Uplands Village therapy provider for physical, occupational and speech therapy. A new therapy gym has been established in the renovated Apartment 4 at 23 Heritage Loop next door to the new home health care office and respite rooms. The Village and Fletcher residents will receive their therapy in the gym. Wharton Homes residents will have therapy in the Wharton therapy rooms.
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FAIR PARK: Crossville’s Got Talent is this Friday
Crossville really has so much talent in this area. Some is home grown, and others have decided to enjoy retiring in the county. The Fair Park Senior Center recently held auditions for the third annual Crossville’s Got Talent Show, and everyone who tried out did a great job, but the show is very limited to only two hours. So not all the people who tried out got to be in the show.
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PLATEAU GARDENING: Pruning pines
The time for spring pruning of pines is right now while new growth (commonly called "candles") is still pale green and flexible. Waiting until later in the season or using tools like hand-held or long-handled pruners doesn’t give good results.
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