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  • Don’t It Make My Brown Thumb Green?

    April
    30
    2009

    clematis vine growth bud photo by Leanne Wildermuth
    Have I told you recently how clematis and I have had a tough relationship for several years? I get one beautiful bloom last year, and bam – a squirrel climbs down my fence, plucks it right off, and eats it.

    No, I’m not kidding. I could have – no, wait, I did. I screamed. I was FURIOUS and I chased that little bugger off my fence. (Me: curlers in hair, flowery housecoat, fuzzy pink slippers and a rolling pin. Not really, but it’s how I see myself in my head.)

    Imagine my delight then, when I scoped out my clematis from last year making a return. Part of me wants to put those bird spikes all along my fence just to keep the squirrels from eating it, the other part of me (the reasonable, rational, nature loving part) knows that if it’s meant to bloom, it’ll bloom. Obviously, at this point, I’m pretty certain I have the patience of Job when it comes to clematis.

    So, let me tell you what I think made a difference. A friend of mine (*waves at friend*) told me once that clematis need to have shade over their roots. Seriously! A full sun plant that wants shady roots. WTH? What a picky little plant. Alright, well, I had some logs and branches from our crazy storm that I keep around the yard for natural hardscape. I took half a log and leaned it up over the base of the vine, and kept it in the dark. And also? I don’t know what lived under there this past winter, but dang! Poo, much?

    I digress.

    Every little measly spindly little vine that God eeked out of this nearly failed (sixth) attempt at a lush clematis vine is turning green and growing. Every little one. I am beyond thrilled and will certainly be purchasing a bee-bee gun this weekend. Okay not really, but you’d think about it, too!

    And all the brown thumbers in the house said “Amen”!

    {9 Comments}

    1
    Renee said,

    I hope the squirrels leave your plants alone. We don’t have many here, the one time I saw one I blasted him with the hose to let him know that he wasn’t welcome…I already have birds, mice & rabbits trying to eat my garden…I didn’t need any other critters. So far, so good.

    oh I forgot the deer tasting my tulips and then spitting them out in the yard. :p

    I didn’t know that clematis like to have their roots shaded. Mine are doing really well where I put them, new shoots are grabbing onto last year’s dead vines and climbing on up. It should look nice here soon.

    4.30.2009 @ 11:00 am
    2
    Pam said,

    Congratulations! Looking forward to the pictures of the blooms! :greenthumb:

    4.30.2009 @ 4:38 pm
    3
    Da Goddess said,

    Tell the squirrels I said, BACK OFF! Otherwise I’ll hurt them. I love clematis. It’s gorgeous stuff.

    5.1.2009 @ 1:33 am
    4
    Becky said,

    Leanne,

    I had clematis at my old place. Someone told me in my “frustrated” stage that of clematis ownership that they don’ t really come into their own until the 7th year undisturbed (they don’t like transplanting). That year they looked awesome, so I moved.

    And the new woman dug them out almost immediately.
    😡

    5.1.2009 @ 7:42 am
    5
    Clara said,

    Our previous owners left us some of those finicky plants as well. The problem is that they also left these gaudy metal arches for them to climb on, so another project for my list is to find something a little more understated so the blooms are the stars. I’m glad they liked the shade on their roots, weird huh? Can’t wait to see beautiful pictures of the blooms. Clara

    5.1.2009 @ 10:36 am
    6
    Mom said,

    And mom said… “sigh… I guess I gave up too soon” :sorry: You lucky little green thumb you! :mrgreen:

    5.2.2009 @ 6:13 am
    7
    Nicky Bird said,

    Sorry to tell you Leanne, but they grow like weeds here. I forget where I’ve planted them and suddenly there they are again. The only thing that I do do is plant them deeper than the pot they came in, and plant them with their roots in the shade.

    5.3.2009 @ 3:47 am
    8

    i have several and find they actually can take abuse and grow the next year, i think they are amazing and beautiful. i’ve planted some perennials at the base of mine, which bloom early and then i have the foliage for later to protect the clematis.

    5.5.2009 @ 7:27 am
    9
    Leanne said,

    That’s a great idea – I’ll have to move some of my stuff around the base of the clematis – it’s really going to town! I’m so excited!!

    5.5.2009 @ 7:29 am

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