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Clematis problem or not?

DaveKearleyDaveKearley Posts: 130
in Problem solving
My girlfriend has a tiny back yard and only room for a couple of pot plants, one of them is a Priorswood Clematis.

From the label it seems it only grows to about 1.5m and I have in front of a small trellis and in a fairly large pot.

To me it just does not look happy, the leaves are bit wrinkled and its not really showing much sign of growing/spreading.

However, I am totally new to clematis and she knows even less  :) So I thought I'd ask for advice.



Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Priorswood Clematis is a nursery, do you know which Clematis it is?


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DaveKearleyDaveKearley Posts: 130
    Ah, i'll have to get that next visit, apologies :)
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited August 2023
    I think it looks like one we have which is Arabella.
    It is not a climber with clinging leaves but a ground level or happiest over and through a low shrub rather than a climbing one.

    I am not positive, but think it is.
    https://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=110
    https://clematisontheweb.org/iclsframe.cfm?page=page82

    So if you have stuffed her around the trellis, she might not be happy.

  • bcpathomebcpathome Posts: 1,313
    Firstly you need to unpack the plant . Take the tape off it and remove the cane that is on it . That’s just for travelling home from the shops . Spread the growth out onto the trellis support and if necessary tie it in loosely with cotton string or garden ties .Give it a good drink and watch it go .
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I think you might be wrong, I think it is a scrambling Clematis and should not be tied into anything, but allowed to scramble through a shrub.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    Looking more closely, you do appear to have a bit of (white powdery looking ) mildew on some stems near the buds. But generally it looks pretty good to me, lots of lovely new buds and the leaves are supposed to look a bit "veiny" . The integrifolia / diversifolia types do look like that.

    Perhaps if your girlfriend does not have a lot of space she could try it in a very tall pot or as a hanging specimen from a wall if there is a suitable spot.
    Though it might need a biggish pot or care if hung up.

    It is really a generous little plant and flowers for ages continuously.
    And looks like your specimen is a very nice plant.

    I think I would try it in a very tall pot or on a pedestal with pot on top for the plant to hang down if she does not have space for a shrub for it to clamber over.
    It wold not take up any more space than where you have it.
  • DaveKearleyDaveKearley Posts: 130
    Rubytoo said:
    I think it looks like one we have which is Arabella.
    It is not a climber with clinging leaves but a ground level or happiest over and through a low shrub rather than a climbing one.

    I am not positive, but think it is.
    https://clematisontheweb.org/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=110
    https://clematisontheweb.org/iclsframe.cfm?page=page82

    So if you have stuffed her around the trellis, she might not be happy.

    It is an Arabella Clematis.

    Not sure how it's going to survive in the space she has, nowhere for it to ramble really  :(  
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited August 2023
    Where the pot is now it could just hang down if you could get it lifted up , for example as I mentioned if you could find a heavy tall pedestal , you can get plant stands to raise pots up high so plants can trail down. Or a chimney pot.
    It would not take up very much more space than it is now.
    You could give it a chance and try it might not mind just hanging down.
    But maybe you and she might choose to give that one away and plant a climbing one that will cling instead.
    There are some nice "patio" ones bred these days that will not get too tall or wide and are very suitable for growing in a pot up a smaller narrow trellis or space.
    I have chosen a couple bred by Ray Evison recently.
    I have no affiliation with them just a suggestion to have a look. Your girlfriend may find a more suitable one. And they are available from various clematis outlets/suppliers.

    We all get these things wrong sometimes, I have made some real doozers with clematis over the years and even killed a few, shh don't tell,  never mind. Good Luck.

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