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could I grow clematis cirrhosa up an obelisk?

berardeberarde Posts: 147
in Problem solving
Thank you for the advice re control of my clematis cirrhosa, I was on the point of digging it out, but I am pleased to have a way to happily keep it.
I have just found a self rooted branch, and I wondered if I could keep it to the height of  obelisk ~ 6 feet tall? It would be lovely to have it flowering in winter in my front garden where I can see it from the house. I was looking for a modest bit of height too.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Which cirrhosa?  There are many forms and some want to get to 7m while others will get to 4 or 5 metres.

    If you can install a large cylindrical obelisk with straight side syou can wind the stems around in a spiral rather than a conical one with limited top space you may be able to keep it to size and enjoy the flowers.   Prune it back after flowering, give it a good feed and train all news stems into the obelisk.

    It is a group 1 for pruning which means it only gets pruned back after flowering to keep it in bounds but you could control it as long as you keep it fed so it replaces its stems each year.  Otherwise it may run away with you.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • berardeberarde Posts: 147
    I'm pretty sure it is freckles. If it is going to be difficult maybe there's another winter variety that would be better?
    And Obelixx it is so kind of you to respond so readily and helpfully to us
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Clematis cirrhosa Halcyon would be better as it only get to 2 to 3 metres so would be more easily controlled - http://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=3051

    You can search that website for other clematis that flower in winter but it's academic so no sales.  Once you find one you fancy you need to contact nurseries such as:-

    https://www.thorncroftclematis.co.uk/clematis.html
    https://www.priorswoodclematis.co.uk/ 
    https://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/
    https://www.hawthornes-nursery.co.uk/ 

    to see which of them stocks it.

    I would put your Freckles somewhere it can spread so maybe over a pergola or 2 to 3 trellis panels?

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I agree, 'Freckles' is too vigorous for a 6ft obelisk.  I have one covering 3 panels of an 8ft fence/trellis and would spread further if I let it.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    The best solution for Clematis cirrhosa I ever saw was growing it through a winter-flowering Lonicera (e.g. L. x purpusii). The shrub provided a natural framework which kept the clematis within bounds, and also protected it against harsh frosts. They flowered nearly together, and very effectively--the clematis concealed the shrub's ungainly habit. And the Lonicera flowers could be smelt halfway along the street.
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