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Plants identity
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Plants
A few more plants if anyone can identify them please - some from our own garden and others from open gardens visited recently. 
The first is a clematis, but which one and is the second a crocosmia Lucifer, the 3rd is some sort of succulent with tiny pink flowers that have all finished for this year.
Last edited: 19 July 2016 20:32:16
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the last one is Lychnis chalcedonica, aka Maltese Cross
In the sticks near Peterborough
The succulent is Oscularia, possibly O.caulescens, which is half-hardy.
Last edited: 19 July 2016 20:42:52
The Maltese Cross is such a pretty plant, unfortunately this one was not in our garden, but I will try to get some here.
The clematis might be Polish Spirit which is very prolific and flowering at the moment. If so, it's a Group 3 so cut back to 30cm in late winter/early spring.
Hi Bob, I have just googled Polish Spirit and although the flower looks almost identical to that the leaf is different. There are so many clematis that look similar, but not exactly the same, however as you say the plant is flowering now and is very prolific in growth and flower, with two flowerings each year.
As it has two flowerings, it is more likely a group 2 so only light pruning is needed in early spring. Follow the tips back to a pair of buds and cut just above them. If you find the flowers are getting higher each year with bare stems below then treat it as a group 3 for one year then 2 more years as a group 2. I find this is a good way to keep vigorous ones under control but still maximise flowering. You're right, there are so many clematis varieties it is often difficult to pin down the exact variety. On a rainy day, have a good browse through this site to see if you can find it:
http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/
Bob, almost switching off for the night when your reply popped up. Yes, the flowers are getting higher each year - the bottom 6 foot is almost bare of flowers, so your idea to treat it as a group 3 for 1 year makes sense. I have just planted a Montana which I have been told is VERY vigorous, so perhaps I will have to carry out the same type of pruning with both of these clematis. Thanks for the link, and I will take a closer look when I have more time - thanks for yours.
Is number one the old Clematis "Jackmanii"; haven't seen one in years but as I remember it did look very like that.
Yes! That's it Invicta2, as soon as I saw the name on your message it triggered a distant memory of the name on the label that used to be attached to the plant - they go brittle and snap after a number of years. Thanks so much.