Everywhere I look this spring in and around Atlanta gardens are lush.  What a differene rain makes.    I can almost hear the plants shouting  their thanks to Mother Nature.    While my roses and perennials have been prolific, the weeds are also keeping pace.  But   I’ll take the good with the bad, weeding is preferable to drought every time.

Among the  stars  in  my garden this spring one that stands out after three years is Clematis ‘Arabella.’  I added this non-climbing vine to my mixed border after discovering   it over four years ago in Lyndy Broder’s Stockbridge, Georgia garden.  A selection of Clematis integrifolia, it  thrives despite heat and humidity, producing masses of 2 to 3″ wide flowers that open deep purple blue and then fade to corn blue.  I let mine ramble and scramble through my border where it blooms for months beginning in May.  On a visit to Lyndy’s garden this spring where her collection of clematis now exceeds 150 varieties ‘Arabella’ was still one of my favorites.  Lyndy uses it throughout her garden as a groundcover and lets it mix and mingle with other perennials like hardy geraniums.

Clematis 'Dominika' with Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'

In fact most of the clematis Lyndy grows are paired up with other plants including shrubs, trees and perennials.  You can also grow many types in containers if space is a problem.    In mid-May there are dozens of combinations that make my mouth water  including Clematis texensis ‘Duchess of Albany’ with dark pink  2 inch wide tulip shaped flowers growing up and through  Rosa ‘New Dawn.’    Growing 6 to 12 ft. high, this vine needs a support or you can treat it as a groundcover.   In fall it produces attractive seedheads.  Selections of  Clematis  texensis are good choices for our hot climate.

Clematis 'Duchess of Albany with New Dawn Rose

A deep purple blue  clematis  that caught my eye was Clematis ‘Dominika’ which Lyndy grows with  Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight.’ The dark green foliage of the hydrangea provides the perfect background for this clematis.  And,  the hydrangea also acts like a  living trellis for ‘Dominika’  which begins blooming in May and continues for weeks.    Thriving in full sun, Lyndy explained that generally the darker colored varieties need more sun while the lighter colors, as well as  whites and bipolar like some shade.  Other tips from Lyndy about clematis I picked up on this visit include the fact that although they are popular, selections of Clematis x jackmanii are more prone to clematis wilt than varieties of Clematis viticella like ‘Etoile Violette,’ a profuse bloomer with deep purple flowers; a good choice for combining with pink roses like ‘New Dawn.’

I was also inspired by the way Lyndy  grew Clematis ‘Huldine.’  Its white flowers flushed with red streaks on the underside of the petals (tepals) glowed against the soft foliage of  Pseudolarix, a large conifer.

These are just a few combinations of clematis with other plants.  With some planning your garden can offer clematis blooms from spring until fall.  Most clematis require a moist, well-drained soil and full sun although there are types for shadier situations.  As far as the subject of when and how to prune, it all depends on when they bloom and whether a particular variety blooms on old or new wood.   Remember when in doubt, prune less rather than more.   For more information about clematis and their cultivation as well as recommended books, contact the American Clematis Society at www.clematis.org

Erica’s Pick: Rooguchi Clematis

Botanical name: Clematis ‘Rooguchi’

About the plant:  This free flowering hybrid clematis is covered with 2 inch cobalt blue flowers, blooming for weeks beginning in early May.  A hardy perennial, it dies back to the ground in winter but should return with vigor in the spring.

Use in the garden: Let this clambering vine weave itself up through shrubs or treat it like a groundcover.

Planting and Care: ‘Rooguchi’ will grow in full sun or part shade.  Give it a moist well-drained soil.

Source: Joy Creek Nursery (mail order) 2300 NW Watson Rd, Scappoose, OR 97056,503-543-7474,  www.joycreek.com (they offer an extensive selection of clematis)