"Dave Poole" wrote in message
...
Nick wrote:

About right, although some of the hybrids prefer it a bit warmer to
around 5C. That is not to say they wont survive at lower
temperatures, but they are more susceptible to damp-induced grey mould
and are less eager to 'wake up' in spring. Keeping them nearly dry at
root helps and plenty of freely moving air will deter the mould.

The very glamorous 'Alice du Pont' will easily overwinter here outside
and even hold on to many of its leaves. However, it almost always
dies away after making a feeble amount of growth in late spring.

That's the problem with growing such plants in a mild maritime
climate. Getting them through winter is less of a problem than
arranging for a continental-type heat surge in spring to really get
them going again in spring.


Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November

Although I can only dream of growing Alice Du Pont outside I can and do have
a 15' specimen in an unheated greenhouse and although it is obvious it would
prefer it warmer! it survives well, usually flowering till Jan then sulking
until April, before coming back into growth. The chief problem is Botrytis
(never know if I have spelt it right!) so I have a small circulating fan in
there on 24 hours a day which seems to hold it at bay.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)