clematis and black eyed susan

Mozza3 · December 2014

Hi all. I'll post a photo soon, couldn't do it from my mob. I set a metal arch up early this year, to divide the garden. On one side I put clematis, which grew well, but I knew it'd take more than a year to cover the arch, so I put black eyed Susan up the other, which went like a house on fire and did exactly what I wanted.. Lovely flowers too. However, as also I expected, the frost has done it in, but the clematis looks OK. Do you think I should pull the B.E.S off now, or leave it? It looks a bit messy. Is there anything I should be doing with the clematis while I'm at it?

Dovefromabove · December 2014

I presume you're referring to Thunbergia, the Black Eyed Susan vine - lovely plant - we had a big pot full growing up a wigwam on our front porch - looked fantastic. Yes, it's a half hardy annual, so remove it now.

As for the clematis, not really anything that needs doing at this time of year - a mulch of organic matter around the base would be good. Then in the spring check which pruning group your variety is in and prune accordingly.

Mozza3 · December 2014

Thanks. The black eyed Susan was really attractive for ages, I was dead pleased with it. It could probably take over if it was fully perennial, it's massive!

Not sure on either variety????

Dovefromabove · December 2014

Edd wrote (see)

They tend to be perennial. Dove.

I would cut back and place in a pot and then bring it indoors. (all depends on the variety though)

Edit: Perennial mostly grown as a annual.

Well botanically speaking yes, but so are lots of things that we in the UK usually treat as HHAs - like runner beans

They grow so happily from seed that I wouldn't give valuable frost-free space to them.

clematis and black eyed susan

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