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Clematis Andromeda is a tall climbing shrub-liana with an abundant type of flowering. The variety is classified as a large-flowered clematis; it blooms quite early. Over the course of a season, the plant can completely entwine any supporting structure and cover an unsightly wall of a living space, an old gazebo or a rickety fence. Vertical gardening is the main use of the Andromeda variety in landscape design.
Description of clematis Andromeda
Clematis Andromeda (Andromeda) is a two-color, early-flowering variety that produces fairly large flowers. Their diameter can reach 20 cm when grown in favorable conditions, the average length of the shoots is 3-4 m. The flowers are painted in delicate cream tones, approaching white, with a stripe of rich dark pink color running along the center of each petal on the inside. The core of the flowers is yellow. In spring and summer, clematis produces semi-double flowers, and in autumn – single flowers.
The first flowering occurs on last year's shoots, which produce a large number of buds. The second time, clematis Andromeda does not bloom so profusely.
Clematis Andromeda pruning group
In the description of the Andromeda variety it is indicated that clematis belongs to the 2nd type of pruning. This means that immediately after its shoots fade, a small part of them is cut off along with the fruit. The purpose of this pruning is to stimulate re-blooming, due to which clematis produces a significantly larger number of buds in the fall.
For the winter, shrubs are not pruned so superficially. Only 50-80 cm of the total length are left from the shoots.
Planting and caring for clematis Andromeda
Clematis grandiflora Andromeda is not a capricious, but quite demanding variety. He does not like replanting, so the shrub is planted immediately in a permanent place. If the plant still needs to be replanted, the clematis will bloom very weakly for several years, and the growth of the bush will noticeably slow down. This is explained by the fact that at this time clematis will be busy strengthening the root system, all nutrients will go to rooting.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
A site for planting clematis of the Andromeda variety should be selected taking into account the following recommendations:
- The culture of this variety does not grow well in the wind and does not like drafts, so it is planted in well-protected places with little ventilation.
- For full development, the plant needs reliable support, so the Andromeda variety is placed near walls and fences.In this case, it is important to maintain a distance between the bush and the support - at least 40-50 cm. If clematis is planted next to a metal fence, this distance should be even greater, since the metal heated by the sun will inevitably burn the shoots and leaves of the plant.
- Excess light is harmful for the Andromeda variety, so it is best to place the shrub in partial shade. If you plant it in the sun, clematis flowers will quickly fade.
- Clematis reveals its fullest potential in moderately moist soils with a high humus content. Loamy or sandy loam soils are best suited.
- You cannot plant clematis Andromeda in a lowland or in an area with close groundwater - stagnation of moisture and waterlogging of the soil have a detrimental effect on the root system of the plant. For preventative purposes, drainage is placed at the bottom of the planting hole so that the water does not stagnate.
Preparing the site for planting comes down to digging and applying fertilizer. Humus is usually used for these purposes.
Seedling preparation
Two-year-old seedlings take root best. When purchasing planting material, you should pay attention to samples with a developed root system - healthy, strong seedlings should have at least 3 long roots (about 10 cm).
Preparing planting material before planting involves soaking in cold water for 2-3 hours.
Rules for planting clematis Andromeda
The Andromeda variety is planted according to the following scheme:
- In a pre-prepared area, dig a hole about 70-80 cm deep and at least 50 cm wide.The optimal distance between two adjacent pits is 60-70 cm.
- A drainage layer approximately 20 cm thick is placed at the bottom of the pit. Broken brick, clay shards, gravel, pebbles or expanded clay can be used as drainage.
- A fertile soil mixture of the following composition is poured over the drainage: the top layer of garden soil taken from the pit, humus and compost, taken in equal proportions. All this is thoroughly mixed and diluted with 100 g of superphosphate, 300 g of dolomite flour and 1-2 tbsp. wood ash.
- The resulting soil mixture is poured into the planting hole, filling it halfway, and a small mound is formed from it. A clematis seedling is placed on it and the roots of the plant are carefully spread along the slopes.
- After this, the hole is filled with the remains of the soil mixture, while the root collar of the bush is buried 10-12 cm.
- Immediately after planting, the Andromeda seedling is watered abundantly.
Watering and fertilizing
Water the Andromeda variety plantings moderately, as they do not like excess moisture. One watering per week is sufficient in normal weather, however, this number is increased to 3 times if extreme heat sets in. During periods of heavy rainfall, watering is stopped altogether. One plant uses about 30 liters of water at a time, 20 liters is enough for seedlings.
For full development, the Andromeda variety needs frequent feeding: both mineral and organic.During the season, the tree trunk area is fertilized at least 4 times, all procedures are carried out after heavy watering or rain.
You can follow this scheme:
- For the first 3 years after planting in open ground, the shrub is fed with a solution of dolomite flour (200 g of substance per 10 liters of water). In this case, be sure to use warm, settled water.
- In the spring, clematis Andromeda is fertilized with a urea solution (1 teaspoon of substance per 10 liters of water).
- In the summer, you can feed clematis with mineral fertilizers (for example, Kemira Universal is suitable) or a mullein solution diluted in a ratio of 1:10. In early June, ammonium nitrate is added to the soil (50 g of the substance per 10 liters of water, no more than a bucket is required per bush). The recommended frequency of fertilizing is 1-2 weeks, and it is important to alternate different types of fertilizers.
- After flowering, the Andromeda variety is fed with phosphorus or potassium fertilizers.
- In autumn, ash is added to the soil in the form of liquid fertilizer. About 0.5 liters of solution are consumed per bush.
Mulching and loosening
The Andromeda variety is extremely sensitive to soil overheating, so the tree trunk circle of the shrub must be mulched. The optimal layer of mulch is about 10-15 cm.
Additionally, you can shade the lower part of the plant with low garden crops: hostas, astilbes, daylilies. They will not only protect the clematis roots from the sun, but will also remove excess moisture from the soil. This way, water will not stagnate in the soil.
Loosening is carried out mainly in June and September. The procedure is necessary to ensure better oxygen access to the clematis root system.
Pruning clematis Andromeda
Andromeda shrubs are pruned in the fall.The cut is made to a height of about 1.5 m - this means that 10-15 knots need to be left. In general, no more than 10 of the strongest shoots are left for the winter, which must be covered before frost sets in. So, clematis will bloom abundantly in the spring.
Preparing for winter
All varieties of clematis are considered quite frost-resistant, however, in cold regions of the country it is recommended to cover the plants for the winter. It is better to carry out all work on insulating the plant before the onset of severe frosts - you can start at a temperature of -5-7°C, preferably in dry weather.
First of all, dry and damaged parts are removed from the shoots, after which they are removed from the support and laid on boards laid out nearby. The bush is sprinkled with dry leaves, straw or hay, and a frame is installed on top. The covering material is stretched along the support so that the clematis is protected from precipitation, but can still breathe a little.
Reproduction
The Andromeda variety is propagated in different ways:
- seeds;
- pinning;
- dividing the bush;
- layering.
The most effective methods of reproduction include the formation of layering. Using this method, the Andromeda variety is propagated as follows:
- A healthy bush about 5 years old is dug out completely, trying not to damage the root system of the plant.
- Without destroying the earthen lump as a whole, excess soil is carefully shaken off the roots.
- After this, the bush is divided so that each part contains at least one bud on the root collar and has a developed root system.
- On the same day, all the resulting divisions must be planted in new places as quickly as possible, so planting holes are prepared in advance.
- After transplanting, the plants are watered moderately.
Despite the stress that transplantation inevitably causes, cuttings of the Andromeda variety quickly take root in a new place.
Diseases and pests
The Andromeda variety is unattractive to pests and resistant to many diseases, which makes caring for it much easier. The bushes do not need to be additionally treated with chemicals for preventive purposes, however, occasionally the shoots and leaves of clematis are affected by a fungus. It is not difficult to cure a shrub - in most cases it will be enough to treat the plant with a 2% solution of Azocel, Trichodermin or 1% solution of copper sulfate. Fundazol also works well against fungus, which is also gentler than other chemicals.
Conclusion
Clematis Andromeda is a rather demanding variety, but not capricious. With proper care, it will delight you with unusually abundant flowering twice a season and will decorate any vertical surface. With the help of this climbing shrub you can effectively disguise small flaws in the design of a fence or gazebo, cover up a poorly painted section of a wall, etc. Andromeda clematis looks especially advantageous against a dark background.
You can learn more about the features of growing clematis from the video below:
