Wow I didn't realise you could do that, what a clever thing. I think I'll try being generous with additions around the base to start, and raise it that way, and see how it goes. I think the soil is pretty good around the montanas. I won't feed them then, I'll just put some compost around the base. That shrub is overdue for a tidyup, so I think I will do it soon and cut it right back. Unless I should be waiting until there is less risk of frost before cutting it back. You are right maybe that shrub took a lot of moisture from that Group 2 clematis, that could be the reason why it's not been overly successful. I'll really watch it this time and keep it generously watered
If that was my clem, I'd move it, so that the shrub benefits too, but you may not feel brave enough to do that is it a Choysia? I couldn't make my mind up.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I actually don't know, I wish I did! I looked up pictures of Choysia and the flowers look about right, so it could well be. Any suggestions welcome
Ooo, I might pluck up the courage to move the clematis. I wonder where I'd put it, I could move it closer to the Sally Evipo. How close together can two clematis be?
Do you think it's OK to hard-prune back the shrub now, or should I wait for some frost to be over first?
How close depends on the clems, other planting, and your conditions. It's quite possible to have them a few feet apart, but you'd always need to know which ones you have, and be able to give them suitable care. You could prune the shrub back a bit, but I'd be wary at this time of year. I'd be inclined to wait until spring. You could certainly take some stems/branches back completely to the base if it's a choysia, just to stop them crowding the clematis.
If you can take a photo of it, you'll get a positive ID and can then go from there. A close up and a wider view, and if you have any pix from when it was in flower, that's even better.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Ah OK thank you so much. The two clematis are probably already the closest they can be already then. So I'll have to think if there's another good spot, if I did decide to move the Ruby Glow. Maybe for now I'll leave it.
Thanks so much for the tips on the shrub. Its a real learning process for me, some things I need to be careful of and others not! I'll get some better pictures and get it ID-ed.
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I think the soil is pretty good around the montanas. I won't feed them then, I'll just put some compost around the base.
That shrub is overdue for a tidyup, so I think I will do it soon and cut it right back. Unless I should be waiting until there is less risk of frost before cutting it back.
You are right maybe that shrub took a lot of moisture from that Group 2 clematis, that could be the reason why it's not been overly successful. I'll really watch it this time and keep it generously watered
is it a Choysia? I couldn't make my mind up.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It's quite possible to have them a few feet apart, but you'd always need to know which ones you have, and be able to give them suitable care.
You could prune the shrub back a bit, but I'd be wary at this time of year. I'd be inclined to wait until spring. You could certainly take some stems/branches back completely to the base if it's a choysia, just to stop them crowding the clematis.
If you can take a photo of it, you'll get a positive ID and can then go from there. A close up and a wider view, and if you have any pix from when it was in flower, that's even better.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...