Shrub Clematis Question

[largosmom]

Chris has a shrub clematis in the lower garden beds when I visited last year. I am wondering if that kind of clematis would do well in my area. I am in Southern Virginia near the Chesapeake Bay so hot and humid from May to September. I am considering adding clematis to crawl up into a Japanese Maple in my new raised bed. Would they be good companions?

Can anyone give advice on a shrubby type of clematis...is it 'integrifolia?', the ones with blue bell-shaped flowers that I saw at Hallson Gardens?

[viktoria]

C. integrifolia is not shrubby. It grows less than 2' tall and dies back to the ground each year. I would look atC. florida types, which I wish I could grow here, and also C. heracleifolias like 'Wyevale and 'Mrs. Robert Brydon', which are shrubby.

Viktoria

[largosmom]

Does C. integrifolia work like a ground cover then? hmmmm

[viktoria]

I re-read my answer above and see that it is misleading. C.florida is a vine, not shrubby.

As to C. integrifolia as a ground cover...no. It is floppy and needs other plants around it for support.

Viktoria

[largosmom]

Thank you, Viktoria.

[paul_in_mn]

Here is C. integrifolia from a tour garden last summer (note hoop at bottom of picture)



and one in my garden (last year-2nd year) growing inside a metal obelisk trellis

[kHT]

http://www.silverstarvinery.com/default.asp

Deb is really helpful if you are seeking information on Clematis!

[gamekeeper]

I have numerous Clems growing on live shrubs and old stumps,they are very versatile and great plants to work with.

[largosmom]

Thanks for the photos and information! I'll probably see about adding at least one to my new garden bed next year. I love those little bells.