Sunday, May 25

The 'other' clematis

Simple blooms and fascinating seed heads put species clematis in a class by themselves.

Chances are, the image that comes to mind at the mention of clematis is of big, spectacular blossoms in gem-like color. Sure, the large-flowered hybrids are the glamour babies that immediately catch one's eye; but the "other" clematis -- the species clematis, with its cadre of tiny-flowered, tumbling, twining and bush-forming varieties -- also captivates. Though they lack the big, blowsy blooms of the garden hybrids, this doesn't lessen the display. The species' demure, understated flowers are compensated for by far greater numbers of blooms and qualities, such as fragrance, which are generally lost with hybridization.

Undecided whether it's a vine or a bush, the tube clematis (C. heracleifolia) assumes the characteristics of both.

Clumping plants
Take one of my favorites -- the wonderful, but somewhat wacky, tube clematis Clematis heracleifolia (2-4 feet, Zones 5-9). Undecided as to whether it is a vine or a bush, it assumes the characteristics of both. With no physical means of supporting itself, the long, vigorous stems of this shrubby perennial clutch at whatever's handy. But lacking something to lean on, the plant just sprawls on the ground forming an arresting textural mass.

Prized for its sweetly scented, hyacinth-like flowers, the rather coarse-looking perennial exhibits a true drama queen persona, when in late summer it covers itself with small, delicate, tight-knit clusters of powdery blue-to-lavender blossoms.

A flirty cousin, C. tubulosa 'Wyevale' (3 feet, Zones 5-9; previously known as C. heracleifolia var. davidiana 'Wyevale', is probably easier to find. Very similar in appearance to C. heracleifolia, it is an excellent addition to any shade or hosta garden, where its sturdy herbaceous shoots will climb and saunter -- but never cling to -- its neighbors.

The hairy, white urn-shaped flowers of Clematis albicoma (top) form atop a herbaceous clump of foliage rather than a vine. To add even more garden interest, once the flowers are pollinated, hairy stamens twist into little curlicues that stay attractive all summer (bottom). Photo/Seneca Hills Perennials

Another clumper, the delicate, white-haired leather-flower, C. albicoma, (10-16 inches, Zones 5-9) -- a robust little fellow, native of Virginia and West Virginia -- is quite happy in average, well-drained garden soil. With time, this uncommon cutie forms thick clumps. A single, chubby and hairy, urn-shaped purplish flower with yellow tips crowns each stiff, leafy stem in late spring. After pollination, the hairy stamens form a knot of pewter curlicues that remains attractive throughout the summer. Once established, the plant is both drought tolerant and able to cope with extremes of heat and cold.

Multi-season interest can also be had from curlyheads, another native. Slightly larger in all respects than C. albicoma, C. ochroleuca (2 feet, Zones 6-9) has dullish, fuzzy little cream-to-purplish colored urns suspended above the foliage in spring, followed by ethereal, fluffy and twisted, golden-haired seed heads that last for about two months in summer. It grows well in dry to moist woodland gardens as well as in open sunny beds and borders.

Climbing vines
Scarlet leather-flower, C. texensis, (8 feet, Zones 5-9) is an enchanting U.S. native with incredibly slender stems. Famous for the fact that it is the only species with red flowers, this lovely vine dangles a portly little urn-of-a-blossom -- pinkish red or true, vivid scarlet -- on the outside with a soft primrose-yellow throat from the curved ends of lax stems. Though each individual mini-bloom is only about an inch in size, the vine's floral elegance is hard to forget. Here in the North, stems of this Texas native die back completely each year, but since it blooms reliably on new wood that is never an issue. It is, however, slow to develop and late to emerge, so be patient. In return, scarlet clematis will bloom for two months or more in late summer every year.

Virgin's Bower, C. virginiana (10-20 feet, Zones 5-9), is a handsome vine -- generally happier in shade than sun -- with a long bloom period spanning a month or more in late summer. The somewhat sparse, fragrant ivory flowers are small, similar to those of sweet autumn clematis (C. terniflora or C. paniculata), an Asian vine, with which it is easily confused. Finding an appropriate site for this clematis can be challenging. C. virginiana belongs on the outer edges of your shade garden, where it will happily use a small tree for support but is not so vigorous it will smother it.

Its thick, waxy petals make it easy to see why C. viorna is called the leather flower. With an open habit, this vine looks especially nice growing through shrubs.

More difficult to please is the quirky leather flower, C. viorna, (8-12 feet, Zones 4-9), but give it a try anyway. Native to the Southeast and lower Midwest states, it has proven itself to be a strong and cold-hardy vine that readily announces summer's arrival with inch-long, fat, fairy-like reddish purple bells with a creamy throat. The open habit of this charming vine looks especially great growing through shrubs.

And finally, another homespun beauty is the marsh clematis (also known as blue jasmine), C. crispa (5-8 feet, Zones 5-9). This species -- with very narrow leaves -- flowers from spring through summer, but blossom color, leaf shape and thickness is quite variable. The bell-shaped flowers can be any color from pale blue to lavender to pink, though some of the most impressive specimens produce flowers that look frosted with silvery blue. In my yard, the lavender-colored plant is not top-hardy, but emerges early every spring raring to go.

Though North America is home to over two dozen species of clematis, and many more are brought in from abroad, very few of these are found in our gardens. And that's a real shame.

Sources:

Completely Clematis
217 Argilla Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
978.356.3197
www.clematisnursery.com

Brushwood Nursery
P.O. Box 483
Unionville, PA 19375
610.444.8083
www.gardenvines.com

Seneca Hill Perennials
3712 County Rt. 57
Oswego, NY 13126
315.342.5915
www.senecahillperennials.com
(Best to send email, which is always answered promptly, not to call.)

Klehm's Song Sparrow
13101 E. Rye Road
Avalon, WI 53505
1.800.553.3715
www.songsparrow.com

Author of "In Search of Great Plants: The Insider's Guide to the Best Plants in the Midwest," Betty Earl is a Master Gardener, photographer and lecturer. She writes for numerous regional gardening magazines, is a garden scout for both Better Homes & Gardens and Midwest Living magazines and also serves as a regional representative for the Garden Conservancy. She lives and gardens in Naperville.