"Rachel Sullivan" wrote in message
...
: In article , Charlie
: Pridham writes
:
:
: I don't know the answer to the question, I'm afraid, except that, with
a
: bit of luck, there might be more buds below the surface of the compost,
: which might sprout.
:
: I'm interested in the hardiness of C. sieboldii generally as well. On
: Rachel Sullivan's excellent website, (http://www.ukclematis.co.uk) she
: says that Clematis florida 'Sieboldii' needs a "very sheltered
: site/conservatory". In one or two other places I've looked it doesn't
: specify so much protection, but obviously your experiences too suggest
: that it's susceptible.
:
: I wonder whether Rachel or anyone else can comment more fully? My baby
: plant is standing outside at the moment and seems to have survived
: recent frosts.
:
: Janet G
:
: Hopefully Rachel will spot this thread because I gave up growing this
: variety, It is not frost tender as such but seems a lot les robust than
: other clematis and I would concur with the grow in Shelter advice.
growing
: in a pot is fine and I would expect it to reshoot from below ground. In
the
: mean time remove all dead and dying bits.
:
:
: Sorry peeps - better late than never. It's That Time Of Year and I have
: disappeared under thousands of clematis. waves vigorously
:
: Sieboldii (and its double friend, alba plena) - I find them both weak
: growing but stunning. I am convinced that buying a good sized strong
: plant, enjoying the months of flowers & then accepting that it's not
: likely to make it through the winter is the best thing to do with this.
: It's just a weak grower and even if it makes it through one winter it
: often doesn't survive the next (outside that is).
:
: Conservatory/greenhouse is the best place for it which is how we keep
: ours (outside in summer). The one I forgot about and left in the
: unheated tunnel all winter is very sad now even though it was a big
: strong plant in a 4 litre pot.
:
: It doesn't mean it's not worth growing - if you compare the cost with,
: say, a huge bunch of flowers, it's worth it for the pleasure they give -
: our big plants last year flowered from June to September. Malcolm
: Oviatt-Ham, (clematis growing friend) says he saw it growing wild in the
: southern islands of Japan (my geography is weak) where it flourished
: like the montanas do here. I think we're just a bit too northern (even
: down south). I certainly wish advertisers were more honest with this
: plant. Ever year you see it in magazines and never a word about it's
: weak constitution.
:
: Re. the one that got frosted - hope for shoots underneath & give it
: time. It's early yet for a seiboldii and although the weather is
: lovely, the light levels aren't the same as they are in May - and that
: makes a huge difference to growth.
:
: We must love it despite the challenges - siboldii was introduced in the
: 1830's, and alba plena in the 1770's.
:
: --
: Rachel

Thanks very much, Rachel, for your detailed answer. I was the one whose
sieboldii is frosted. I agree that it would be helpful if advertisers were
more honest. I seem to remember I got them (3) as a special offer from T &
M, I think. It's taught me a lesson to buy from the specialists in future!!
It must be wonderful to see them growing in the wild in Japan Perhaps I'll
get there one day - it's on the list. I didn't realise it was as old as
that - I assumed it was a fairly new introduction as it seems to be
advertised everywhere now. Perhaps because it is short lived, people fall
in love with it and will buy it again.

K