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Photos and descriptions of clematis Ernest Markham (or Markham) indicate that this vine has a beautiful appearance, and therefore is becoming increasingly popular among Russian gardeners. The culture has high frost resistance and easily takes root in harsh climatic conditions.
Description of clematis Ernest Markham
Lianas belonging to the Jacqueman group have become widespread throughout the world. The Ernest Markham variety is one of them. In 1936, it was introduced by breeder E. Markham, after whom it received its name. Increasingly, this spectacular low-growing perennial plant is found in garden plots throughout Russia. As photos and reviews from gardeners show, clematis Ernest Markham is characterized by vigorous flowering and is often used in decorating the landscape of summer cottages.
Clematis variety Ernest Markham is a perennial climbing vine that is part of the Ranunculaceae family.However, it is often grown in bush form. The height of some plants reaches 3.5 m, but, generally, there are individuals 1.5 - 2.5 m high. This height allows you to grow clematis in containers.
The thickness of the branches of clematis Ernest Markham is 2 - 3 mm. Their surface is ribbed, pubescent and colored in brown-gray shades. The shoots are quite flexible, branch strongly and intertwine with each other. The support for them can be either artificial or natural.
Clematis Ernest Markham has elongated, ovate, pointed leaves, consisting of 3 - 5 medium-sized leaves about 10 - 12 cm long and about 5 - 6 cm wide. The edges of the leaves are wavy, the smooth surface is painted in a glossy dark green hue. The leaves are attached to the shoots using long petioles, allowing the vine to climb various supports.
The powerful root system of the plant consists of a long and dense taproot with many branches. Some roots reach 1 m in length.
Photo and description of clematis flowers Ernest Markham:
The main decoration of clematis Ernest Markham is its large bright red flowers. The plant blooms profusely; the flowering period lasts from June to October. The diameter of the opened flowers is approximately 15 cm. They are formed from 5 - 6 pointed oblong petals with wavy edges. The surface of the petals is velvety and slightly shiny. The stamens are creamy brown.
Large-flowered clematis Ernest McHam is widely used in landscape design for vertical gardening of fences and walls, and decorating gazebos. The shoots will entwine and shade the structure, thereby creating a comfortable place to relax on a hot summer day.Lianas are also used to decorate terraces, arches and pergolas, and form borders and columns.
Clematis pruning group Ernest Markham
Clematis Ernest Markham belongs to the third pruning group. This means that flowers appear on the shoots of the current year, and all old shoots are cut off in the autumn to the 2nd - 3rd bud (15 - 20 cm).
Optimal growing conditions
Clematis Ernest Markham is a hybrid plant that takes root well in the Russian climate. A powerful root system allows the vine to gain a foothold even on rocky soils. The plant belongs to the fourth climatic zone; it can survive frosts down to -35 oC.
All clematis are quite light-loving, so when planting, preference should be given to well-lit places. Clematis Ernest Markham does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Location in such areas leads to rotting of the roots.
Planting and caring for clematis Ernest Markham
Reviews of hybrid clematis Ernest Markham allow us to conclude that this is an undemanding plant; even a novice gardener can cope with its cultivation. The main rule in care is regular, abundant, but not excessive watering. Also, as clematis Ernest Markham grows, it is tied to supports.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
The planting location largely determines the further development of the vine. Clematis Ernest Markham is a perennial vine that has powerful, long roots, so the planting area should be spacious.
When choosing a place to plant Ernest Markham clematis, you should pay attention to the following:
- Despite the fact that clematis Ernest Markham is a plant that loves light, in the southern regions light shading is required, otherwise the root system will heat up too much;
- For regions of the middle zone, places illuminated by the sun all day long or slightly shaded at midday are suitable;
- The planting site must be protected from drafts, clematis Ernest Markham reacts poorly to them, strong winds break shoots and tear off flowers;
- Clematis Ernest Markham should not be placed in lowlands or on too elevated areas;
- Planting next to walls is not recommended: during rain, water will drain from the roof and flood the vine.
Loose sandy loam or loamy, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil with a high humus content is suitable for planting. Before planting, the soil must be dug up, loosened and fertilized with humus.
Seedling preparation
Clematis seedlings Ernest Markham are sold in special garden nurseries. Gardeners purchase seedlings with both open and closed root systems. However, plants sold in containers have a higher survival rate, and moreover, they can be planted in the ground regardless of the time of year.
When purchasing seedlings, be sure to check them thoroughly. The soil in containers must be clean and moist and free from mold damage.The appearance of seedlings with an open root system must be healthy; rotting and drying out of the roots is not allowed, since such plants most likely will not be able to take root and will die.
Ernest Markham clematis seedlings with an open root system are immersed in warm water before planting.
Landing rules
The best time to plant Ernest Markham clematis is spring or early autumn. In the southern regions, planting begins in the fall, and in the northern regions in the spring, this allows young seedlings to take root before the first cold snap. Before planting, a support is usually installed in advance at the selected location.
Landing algorithm:
- Dig planting holes with a depth and diameter of 60 cm. When planting several plants, it is important to ensure that the distance between them is at least 1.5 m.
- Mix the soil dug from the hole with 3 buckets of humus, a bucket of peat and a bucket of sand. Add wood ash, lime and 120 - 150 g of superphosphate.
- Drain the bottom of the planting hole with small stones, pebbles or broken bricks. This will prevent moisture stagnation in the root system area.
- Place the Ernest Markham clematis seedling in the planting hole, deepening the lower bud by 5 - 8 cm.
- Water well.
Watering and fertilizing
Clematis Ernest Markham needs regular watering. When the plant is located on the sunny side, it is watered once a week with approximately 10 liters of water. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the water in the soil does not stagnate.
You should start feeding the plant after final rooting. In the 2nd - 3rd year of life, during the period of active spring growth, clematis are fed with nitrogen fertilizers. During the formation of buds, complex mineral supplements are used. In August, nitrogen is eliminated, adding only phosphorus and potassium.
Mulching and loosening
The soil around clematis must be loosened, but all weeds delete. With the onset of night cold snaps, the surface of the soil around the bush is mulched with a layer of humus, compost or garden soil approximately 15 cm thick.
Trimming
After transplantation in the first years, clematis actively grows its root system. Flowering during this period may be rare or absent altogether. Trimming all the buds can promote good development of the vine. This will help the plant save energy and direct it to growth and strengthening in the new soil.
Pruning your Ernest Markham clematis greatly affects its flowering. In the first year after transplantation, gardeners advise leaving only 1 strongest shoot, shortening it to a length of 20 - 30 cm. Thanks to this procedure, next season the side shoots will develop and bloom more actively.
In subsequent years, the pruning procedure is carried out in the fall. It includes the removal of old, dry, diseased shoots and the pre-winter pruning itself.
Since clematis Ernest Markham belongs to the third pruning group, its branches are cut off almost to the root for the winter. Only small branches about 12-15 cm long with several buds are left above the ground surface.
A universal way is to trim the shoots one at a time. In this case, the first shoot is cut off as described above, and only the tip of the second shoot is cut off. The entire bush is trimmed in this way. This pruning method promotes rejuvenation of the bush and uniform distribution of buds on the shoots.
Preparing for winter
In order to prevent fungal diseases, the mulched soil around the bush is sprayed with fungicide and sprinkled with ash on top. Clematis Ernest Markham is covered when the ground is just freezing and the temperature drops to -5 oC.
Clematis of the third pruning group are covered with wooden containers, covered with dry leaves or spruce branches on top, and wrapped with roofing felt or burlap. If in winter the snow cover on the box is insufficient, it is recommended to throw snow on the shelter manually. If a sheltered plant freezes slightly in too harsh a winter, it will be able to recover and bloom at a later date than usual.
Reproduction of hybrid clematis Ernest Markham
Propagation of clematis Ernest Markham is possible in several ways: cuttings, layering and dividing the bush. The time for harvesting planting material is determined depending on the chosen method.
Cuttings
Cuttings are the most popular method of propagating clematis, as it allows you to obtain many seedlings at once. The best time to take cuttings is the period before the buds open. Only healthy young shoots are suitable for cuttings.
Algorithm for propagation by cuttings:
- Cuttings from the middle of the shoot are cut with pruning shears or a well-sharpened knife. The length of the cutting should be 7 - 10 cm. The upper cut should be straight, and the lower one should be at an angle of 45 degrees. In this case, it is necessary that the cuttings have from 1 to 2 internodes.
- The lower foliage is cut off completely, the upper leaves only by half.
- Cut cuttings are placed in a container with a solution to stimulate growth.
- The next step is to prepare the soil. Ernest Markham clematis cuttings are rooted both in the greenhouse and in the beds. They need to be rooted to the first bud, slightly tilted and placed in the top layer of wet sand.
- After planting the cuttings, the bed is covered with film, this allows you to maintain the temperature in the range of 18 - 26 o
The beds are regularly watered and sprayed. The cuttings finally take root in 1.5 - 2 months. Transplantation to a permanent place is carried out after the plants reach the shape of a bush.
Reproduction by layering
Curly, long and flexible shoots greatly facilitate the process of propagating clematis Ernest Markham by layering. Spring is the optimal time for the procedure.
Reproduction technique by layering:
- On an adult plant, choose strong side shoots.
- Near the bush, shallow grooves are dug with a length equal to the length of the shoots.
- Selected shoots are placed in the grooves and secured using wire or special staples. Otherwise, they will gradually return to their previous position.
- The shoots are sprinkled with soil, leaving only the top on the surface.
During the season, the cuttings are watered abundantly, and the soil around them is loosened. Over time, the first shoots begin to emerge from the shoot. The number of sprouts depends on the number of buds on the shoot.
Dividing the bush
Only mature clematis bushes over 5 years old can be divided. Division is done in the spring. There is no need to dig up the clematis completely; you can only slightly dig it up on one side, thus freeing the root system from the ground.Then, using a sharpened knife or shovel, part of the root system is carefully separated, and the cut areas are treated with wood ash. After this, the separated parts are seated in prepared places.
Diseases and pests
Clematis Ernest Markham is susceptible to various types of rot. The disease can be caused by excess moisture in the soil or improper shelter of the plant for the winter. Other fungal enemies include fusarium and wilt, which causes wilting. They also develop in waterlogged soil.
Of the pests, clematis Ernest Markham is often affected by nematodes, and it is almost impossible to escape from them. The best solution when they appear is to get rid of the bush and burn all its remains. Thrips, mites and flies are removed with specialized insecticides sold in gardening stores.
Conclusion
As Ernest Markham's photo and description of clematis shows, the vine serves as an exquisite decoration for any summer cottage. Bright flowers can enliven even the most dull and unpresentable background. The small size of the bush allows you to grow the plant in a pot on a balcony or loggia.
