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Ottawa Citizen
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Ottawa Citizen
The City Gardener: Clematis, queen of the garden
My friend Sharyn is a passionate gardener who lives, and gardens, in the Rouge Valley. By her own admission, Sharyn is a clematis queen – she has some twelve different varieties in her wonderful cottage-style garden. She planted her first one, a sturdy little 'Jackmanii', by the front porch fourteen years ago, and it's still growing strong, topping out today at close to 16 feet. Altogether, her collection makes a spectacular display from early June almost till fall. Article content Article content Article content Clematis (feel free to pronounce it Clem-AH-tis, or CLEM-ah-tis, since both are correct) is an old-fashioned favourite that appears in literature going back as far as ancient Greece, where it was associated with the god Apollo. (The word 'clematis,' somewhat unimaginatively, comes from the ancient Greek word for vine.) But the form we know today was probably introduced to Victorian gardens in the mid-nineteenth century, and has been a much-loved (and much-hybridized) garden staple ever since. Article content What Sharyn loves about them is that they are extremely easy to grow, almost indestructible once established, and if they like where you put them, will thrive for years, even centuries: abandoned farmhouses sometimes still have clematis vines blooming by their front doors. Article content The plant comes in a huge variety of colours, from white, pink, red, and blue to light and dark purple – and different sizes and shapes, including bell, star-shaped, multiple, evergreen forms, large or tiny blossoms, and even cone-shaped or tubular varieties. Some are richly fragrant, feature two or even three colours on a single blossom, and can be striped, spotted, or have contrasting throats. Sharyn's collection includes 'The President,' 'Nelly Moser,' 'Icy Montana,' and of course the granddaddy of them all, 'Jackmanii.' Article content Article content The full clematis family comprises twelve different groups, each with different habits and methods of care. But most popular are the spring bloomers (Group 1), repeat bloomers (Group 2), and summer/fall bloomers (Group 3). It's important to know which group your clematis falls into, as each has unique annual pruning requirements – and these can vary considerably. Article content The care tag that comes with the plant will tell you all of that, along with planting and growing tips; read it carefully and hang on to it for future reference, especially if, like Sharyn, you grow more than one variety. (She tends to stick to one favourite group to avoid confusion; almost all of hers are Group 1 or 2.) Article content Clematis prefer rich, well-drained soil, and plenty of water throughout the growing season, but don't let them get soggy. Dig a hole the same depth as the pot the plant arrived in and settle it in carefully, adding soil at the sides as needed but being careful not to add more soil on top; they hate being planted too deep. Water regularly and add compost or fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
Toronto Sun
09-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Clematis: Queen of the garden
Clematis are easy to grow, almost indestructible once established, and if they like where you put them, will thrive for years. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Like many an old-fashioned favourite, this versatile vine is so beautiful and easy to grow This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account My friend Sharyn is a passionate gardener who lives, and gardens, in the Rouge Valley. By her own admission, Sharyn is a clematis queen – she has some twelve different varieties in her wonderful cottage-style garden. She planted her first one, a sturdy little 'Jackmanii', by the front porch fourteen years ago, and it's still growing strong, topping out today at close to 16 feet. Altogether, her collection makes a spectacular display from early June almost till fall. Clematis (feel free to pronounce it Clem-AH-tis, or CLEM-ah-tis, since both are correct) is an old-fashioned favourite that appears in literature going back as far as ancient Greece, where it was associated with the god Apollo. (The word 'clematis,' somewhat unimaginatively, comes from the ancient Greek word for vine.) But the form we know today was probably introduced to Victorian gardens in the mid-nineteenth century, and has been a much-loved (and much-hybridized) garden staple ever since. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. What Sharyn loves about them is that they are extremely easy to grow, almost indestructible once established, and if they like where you put them, will thrive for years, even centuries: abandoned farmhouses sometimes still have clematis vines blooming by their front doors. The plant comes in a huge variety of colours, from white, pink, red, and blue to light and dark purple – and different sizes and shapes, including bell, star-shaped, multiple, evergreen forms, large or tiny blossoms, and even cone-shaped or tubular varieties. Some are richly fragrant, feature two or even three colours on a single blossom, and can be striped, spotted, or have contrasting throats. Sharyn's collection includes 'The President,' 'Nelly Moser,' 'Icy Montana,' and of course the granddaddy of them all, 'Jackmanii.' The full clematis family comprises twelve different groups, each with different habits and methods of care. But most popular are the spring bloomers (Group 1), repeat bloomers (Group 2), and summer/fall bloomers (Group 3). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's important to know which group your clematis falls into, as each has unique annual pruning requirements – and these can vary considerably. The care tag that comes with the plant will tell you all of that, along with planting and growing tips; read it carefully and hang on to it for future reference, especially if, like Sharyn, you grow more than one variety. (She tends to stick to one favourite group to avoid confusion; almost all of hers are Group 1 or 2.) Clematis prefer rich, well-drained soil, and plenty of water throughout the growing season, but don't let them get soggy. Dig a hole the same depth as the pot the plant arrived in and settle it in carefully, adding soil at the sides as needed but being careful not to add more soil on top; they hate being planted too deep. Water regularly and add compost or fertilizer monthly during the growing season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Like all exuberant bloomers, clematises love full sun, a minimum of six hours a day. (Even so, there are a few hybrids available that will tolerate light shade.) But they need cool roots, so plant something at their feet: hostas or daylilies are a perfect complement, since they allow the clematis's roots to warm up in early spring sunshine but fill in to provide shelter as summer wears on. Since it is a vine, you'll need to provide something for your clematis to grow on. A trellis or arbour is ideal, but you can train it to cling to espalier frames, ladders, sturdy twine, or anything fanciful you can imagine. (My own 'Jackmanii' grows on an ugly wire fence separating my garden from my neighbours', and transforms it into a colourful carpet of royal purple by July.) Sharyn always buys the biggest potted specimens she can afford from the nursery; that way, she knows the plant has gotten off to a good start and sometimes gets blooms the very first year. But you could also start off with a few smaller ones in four-inch pots, and experiment with different colours and types. Before long, you may become a passionate clematis enthusiast yourself. Please feel free to write in with questions, to comment or to share your own city gardening adventures with Martha. Write to her at marthasgarden07@ Canada Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs Canada
Ottawa Citizen
02-05-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
City gardener: Perfect pruning, for perennial perfection
I read somewhere (probably in one of those bracing, old-fashioned English gardening books) that the best time to prune is when your secateurs are sharp. In other words, you can prune just about any time of year that your garden is actively growing. Article content Article content While that may be true, I think that now, just as the new gardening season gets underway, is the perfect time to get this somewhat labour-intensive but critical process done. Article content Article content In some ways, this is my favourite time of year to work in the garden. Mild, sunny days are getting more frequent, and you can spend some quality time outside without your fingers and face stiffening from cold and wind. And it's great to say hello again to neighbours walking by, after we've all been huddled inside our homes for so long. Article content A basic pruning kit includes three tools: secateurs, the fancy name for the handheld pruners that no gardener can do without; loppers, which come in different sizes; and a folding pruning saw, strong enough for branches that are too thick for your loppers, but too small to pay a tree company to remove. Article content Buy a sharpening stone or some other sharpening tool, and make sure your tools are razor-sharp each time you use them. Dull tools are not only harder to work with but can damage the plant. Clean them well with WD40 or soap and water after each use. Article content Examine the shrub and look for dead, weak or broken branches, and any that cross over another branch or are growing in a weird direction. Trim using what's called a heading cut, where you trim the branch at a 45-degree angle, no more than a quarter-inch above a bud or fork that faces outward. If you're cutting back flush to a larger branch, trim as close as you can get without actually cutting into the flesh of the main branch, leaving the knot (or 'collar') intact. Article content Article content The traditional technique of using hedge clippers (or a power hedge trimmer) to square off boxwood, cedar, spirea and other hedges has its place, especially in formal gardens (not to mention Edward Scissorhands-style sculptured topiary). But this can cause the interior of the shrub to die off over time, leaving just a shell of leaves and flowers. If you want a more natural look – and especially with single specimens or small groups – you'll want to prune more selectively, using the same heading-cut technique. Prune interior branches as well, letting air and light into the interior of the shrub. Article content While most of the time you don't want to get too carried away with the clippers, some plants periodically benefit from a process called 'hard pruning': lopping the whole thing off cold about six to twelve inches from the ground, so it can start all over again. Article content I do this with my 'Jackmanii' clematis every April, and while purists might fault me for it, I find that not only does the plant immediately start sending up new shoots, by June it's blooming its head off. Besides, it's the only way I know of to clean out last year's dead vines. (If you know a better way, write to me and let me know!) You can also do this with ornamental grasses, lavender and some vines like wisteria. Article content
