Clematis ( The First Lady Clematis )

Deciduous climber belonging to AHS group 2. Large, 8 to 12 inch wide early summer flowers are borne on sideshoots growing from last year’s shoots. Additional blooms may be borne on the tips of the present year’s growth. Leaves are divided into 3 widely or regularly lance-shaped leaflets, 4 to 6 inches long. Beautiful along fences and arbors. Part shade is preferable.

Important Info : The American Horticultural Society groups Clematis species and cultivars into 3 different groups. Group 1 includes species that flower in early spring; group 2 includes cultivars that bear large flowers and blooms from late spring to early summer; and group 3 includes cultivars that bear large flowers from summer to early fall, cultivars that bear small flowers from summer to late fall, and herbaceous midsummer to late fall-blooming species and cultivars.

Google Plant Images: click here!

Characteristics

Cultivar: The First Lady
Family: Ranunculaceae
Size: Height: 7 ft. to 9 ft.
Width: 2 ft. to 3 ft.
Plant Category: climbers, landscape,
Plant Characteristics: low maintenance,
Foliage Characteristics: deciduous,
Flower Characteristics: long lasting, showy, single,
Flower Color: blues,
Tolerances:

Requirements

Bloomtime Range: Late Spring to Early Summer
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
AHS Heat Zone: Not defined for this plant
Light Range: Part Shade to Sun
pH Range: 5.5 to 6.5
Soil Range: Sandy Loam to Loam
Water Range: Normal to Moist

Plant Care

Planting

How-to : Planting Vines & Climbers

Choose the planting site for your climber carefully: its long flexible stems may need some shelter, but planting right next to a wall might keep it from the sun or water it needs. Make sure that there’s room for the climber to grow when it gets tall, and remember that it will grow towards the sun unless carefully trained. Be sure you will be able to manage the plant once it becomes tall, or that if it has a mind of its own, it won’t become a problem.

Select a support structure before you plant your climber. Common support structures are trellises, wires, strings, or existing structures. Some plants, like ivy, climb by aerial roots and need no support. Aerial rooted climbers are fine for concrete and masonary, but should never be allowed to climb on wood. Clematis climbs by leaf stalks and the Passion flower by coiling tendrils. Akebia and Wisteria climb by twining stems in a spiral fashion around its support.

Do not use permanent ties; the plant will quickly outgrow them. Use soft, flexible ties (twist-ties work well), or even strips of pantyhose, and check them every few months. Make sure that your support structure is strong, rust-proof, and will last the life of the plant. Anchor your support structure before you plant your climber.

Dig a hole large enough for the root ball. Plant the climber at the same level it was in the container. Plant a little deeper for clematis or for grafted plants. Fill the hole with soil, firming as you, and water well. As soon as the stems are long enough to reach their support structure, gently and loosely tie them as necessary.

If planting in a container, follow the same guidelines. Plan ahead by adding a trellis to the pot, especially if the container will not be positioned where a support for the vine is not readily available. It is possible for vines and climbers to ramble on the ground or cascade over walls too. Clematis and Roses actually work quite well this way.

How-to : Preparing Garden Beds

Use a soil testing kit to determine the acidity or alkalinity of the soil before beginning any garden bed preparation. This will help you determine which plants are best suited for your site. Check soil drainage and correct drainage where standing water remains. Clear weeds and debris from planting areas and continue to remove weeds as soon as they come up.

A week to 10 days before planting, add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage. If soil composition is weak, a layer of topsoil should be considered as well. No matter if your soil is sand or clay, it can be improved by adding the same thing: organic matter. The more, the better; work deep into the soil. Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials. This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now, but will greatly pay off later. Besides, this is not something that is easily done later, once plants have been established.

The First Lady Clematis

Silvery lavender-blue flowers bloom in May-June, September. Pruning group B.

This size is not ready to ship. Please select another option.

Size : 1 Gallon Staked Vine

Search Plants

Average Landscape Size:

Height – 7 ft. – 9 ft.

Flowering Season:

May to June and September

Landscape Use:

Border, Container, Cutting Garden, Espalier, Urban Garden, Woodland Garden

Special Features:

Attracts Butterflies, Bird Friendly, Easy Care, Fast Growing

1 Gallon Staked Vine

Watering Needs:

Let dry between waterings

Easy to grow in most average well drained soils. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced as plant matures. Feed with a general-purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.