Answers to Your Questions: Capricious Clematis and Flowery Gifts

Clematis With Short Flowering Periods

I have three clematis: ‘Niobe’, ‘Hagley Hybrid’ and ‘Jackmanii’. They flower profusely, but for no more than two or three weeks. However, according to their labels, they should flower until September or October. What can I do to achieve this?

Answer

For many plants, there is often a big difference between what sellers promise and what actually happens in the garden, and clematis, a very capricious group of plants, are no exception to this rule. First, even under the best conditions, these plants do not bloom all summer and fall. They produce an abundant first bloom in early summer, sometimes a few sporadic flowers during the summer, and a smaller second bloom in early fall. But only if conditions are perfect.

It is important to note that clematis love the sun, but require cool conditions around their roots. In full sun, they may become too hot. In the past, it was recommended to plant perennials or shrubs at their base to protect the roots from the sun, but modern studies indicate that a good mulch (not cedar mulch, however) is even more effective in stimulating good flowering. Good drainage is necessary, but the plants do not tolerate drought. Avoid planting them near the foundation of a house, where the soil dries out very quickly. Gentle fertilization with compost is ideal. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers (such as 30-15-15). Finally, clematis is one of the few plants that prefers neutral soil. Since the soil in your region (and almost everywhere in Quebec) is rather acidic, it may be necessary to apply lime to reduce the acidity.

Suggestions for a Floral Gift

We are getting married this fall. Since the theme will be flowers, we would like to give our guests a small houseplant that will bloom in the fall, so that when they see it in bloom, they will remember the occasion on which they received it.

Answer

You can be sure that this is the first time I’ve been asked this question! And it’s not easy to answer. In particular, you don’t give the date of your wedding… and yet that’s very important.

There are several indoor plants that naturally flower in late fall (November, early December). For this period, I can suggest the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera), the billbergia (Billbergia nutans), and the Blossfeld’s kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), all of which bloom reliably in November for many years.

As for indoor plants that bloom in September or October… I don’t know of any! It’s not that there aren’t any houseplants that bloom during this period, but they are plants that bloom sporadically throughout the year, not specifically in the fall. In this group, think of peace lilies (Spathiphyllum), African violets (Saintpaulia) or streptocarpus (Streptocarpus). Or buy orchids in bloom. Normally, an orchid purchased in bloom in the fall will bloom faithfully at about the same time every year… and often in the spring as well. The moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) is particularly easy to grow in house conditions.

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Larry Hodgson has published thousands of articles and 65 books during his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil.