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| Clematis "Crystal Fountain" |
I was curious as to whether clematis (or at least this particular clematis) would make a good cut flower, so I snipped an already-open bloom and floated it in a bowl of water.
The bloom on the left has been floating in a bowl of water for approximately one week now. I haven't even refreshed the water! The one on the right was just cut today.
Personally, I'm really impressed with the staying power of "Crystal Fountain" clematis as a cut flower. The stems aren't very long, so I don't see how it could work in a vase (unless you're an expert flower arranger and can get creative with wires), but it certainly makes a lovely floating centerpiece.
Have you ever tried this clematis or any other as a cut flower? How did it work for you? And are there any fragrant clematis vines? Please leave a comment using the New and Improved Comment System below.
PS - I really screwed up with the comments. I apologize deeply for the brief sojourn into using Google+ as a comments method. I know some people were really turned off by Google pushing them to join Google+ in order to leave a comment. And then I tried Disqus, but that didn't work at all either. (It failed to import any of the existing comments and made it impossible to leave new ones.) I've settled on IntenseDebate for now to manage the comment. I think it's much nicer and more user-friendly than any of the comment systems I've used before, including the original Blogger comment system. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too! (Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to make all the comments that folks made already reappear. I understand IntenseDebate does have a system to make that work, but apparently there are bugs at the moment that keep that importer from working. See - bugs are not just a problem in the garden! Maybe they need some beneficial bugs over at IntenseDebate?? ;-)
PPS - Update - looks like all the comments are back on most of the posts ... all the ones created using Blogger's comment function and not the Google+ function. I'm guessing the Google+ comments are gone forever...or perhaps they live on, but only within the Google+ world? Either way, I'm glad to have IntenseDebate going on now! :)
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JT · 618 weeks ago
Aaron Dalton 90p · 618 weeks ago
I've been tempted to try it, but I've heard it can become weedy in the South.
I think Clematis montana var. wilsonii is another white-flowered one (that blooms in early summer) that is supposed to be fragrant - http://www.joycreek.com/Clematis-montana-var.-wil...
Clematis armandii sounds great for winter fragrance (also white flowers) but unfortunately only seems hardy to zone 8. Drat! http://www.floridata.com/ref/c/clem_arm.cfm
Clematis virginiana (also described as fragrant by some) is white and fall-blooming and also listed as aggressive, but at least it's native to Eastern North America so it can't really be called invasive - http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-ga...
One intriguing fragrant option (group 3 clematis, meaning it can/should be pruned back hard in late winter / early spring) is Clematis Virgin's Bower (Clematis flammula) - white floweres, fall-blooming and supposedly not as invasive or rampant as Sweet Autumn Clematis. Maybe you have that one? http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/89029/#b
PS - There is a way to add photos to IntenseDebate comments, but it's not very user-friendly. Here are instructions - http://effortlessanthropologie.blogspot.com/p/how... I tried it and it does seem to work. I'll keep looking to see if there is a simpler way.
Dottie · 618 weeks ago
Aaron Dalton 90p · 618 weeks ago
Happy to hear you liked the floating clematis. We do the same thing with our Camellia sasanqua blossoms, but I think the camellia flowers last even longer and they don't seem to dirty the water or stain the bowl as the Camellias do. (The 'stain' is not permanent or anything - it can be washed off with some scrubbing, but just saying that the Camellia water and the bowl start to look not-so-nice after a few days whereas the same thing does not seem to be a problem with this clematis.)
I never thought to try it with azalea blossoms! Since our azaleas are blooming right now, perhaps I will give it a go. Thanks for the suggestion :)
Holleygarden · 618 weeks ago
Aaron Dalton 90p · 618 weeks ago
I'm so happy if my post can serve as inspiration to expert gardeners such as yourself to try something new :)
Thanks for your comment. I'm happy you like this new commenting system better. Now all I have to do is find a way to make the older comments reappear. They're still all stored in my Blogger account but IntenseDebate's blogger import is on the fritz apparently.
ddonabella 50p · 617 weeks ago
Aaron Dalton 90p · 617 weeks ago
ddonabella 50p · 617 weeks ago
Miguel Miller · 379 weeks ago