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Clematis Rhapsody was bred by the English breeder F. Watkinson in 1988. The abundant flowering of the variety from the third pruning group is very impressive. The climbing large-flowered clematis is unpretentious and grows in any exposure.
Description of clematis Rhapsody
The Rhapsody variety bush is compact, the vines rise almost vertically along the trellises, grow little to the sides, only up to 60-90 cm, the volume in diameter is also up to 90 cm. The root system is developed, spreading, densely fibrous. The stems are flexible, thin, strong, supported by tenacious green tendrils. The height of clematis Rhapsody lashes is small - from 1.5 to 2.5 m, which depends on the fertility of the soil and growing conditions. The bright, soft shade, reddish-brown color of the climbing stems contrasts with the green of the leaves and the blue of the opened buds.
Dense leaf blades are located opposite, on very short greenish petioles. The shape of the leaves is ovate-elongated, smoothly tapering towards the apex.The oblong veins are clearly visible. The upper part of the clematis leaf is smooth, the underside is slightly rough to the touch, with protruding veins.
The whitish-green buds are formed on strong, long peduncles growing on shoots that form in the spring. Abundant flowering begins from the bottom of the shoots and gradually spreads to the entire stem. In August, the very first shoots are cut off, making way for new ones, on which buds for autumn flowering eventually appear.
Single flowers are large, flat in shape, up to 10-12 cm in diameter. Like all clematis, the sepals, which take on the role of petals, are the most decorative part of the plant. The shape of the petals, the number of which is usually 6 pieces, is oval-elongated, pointed towards the apex, measuring from 5 to 7 cm, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, the border is slightly wavy. From the center, the petals bend smoothly, forming a graceful, slightly convex arc. There are 3 distinct veins in the middle.
The flowers of the Rhapsody variety are blue-violet in color, which changes visually depending on the lighting. The petals blooming in the sun are bright blue, with purple nuances, and do not fade. In the shade, which clematis Rhapsody easily tolerates, the opening buds are of a more saturated tone, to dark purple. Numerous light yellow stamens of clematis, which gardeners call “spider,” visually illuminate the middle of the flower and draw attention to it.
Flowering is long, from the end of the second or mid-third ten days of June to the end of September. Flower growers note that clematis Rhapsody blooms from 100 to 130 days. The life of one flower is also long.
Clematis pruning group Rhapsody
It is believed that the large-flowered clematis variety Rhapsody belongs to pruning group 3. Plants are heavily pruned before wintering, leaving 20-30 cm of stem. In spring, the bush creates new shoots on which flowers form.
Conditions for growing clematis Rhapsody
The climbing large-flowered plant is sun-loving, so it is better to place the clematis bush in the following positions:
- on the south side of a building or fence;
- in a southeast direction;
- with southwest orientation.
In the southern regions, this clematis will grow well from the north of a low fence or building. The variety tolerates partial shade. Therefore, they can be used to decorate the trunk of a tall tree with a sparse crown through which sunlight filters.
According to the photo and description of clematis, Rhapsody, a plant of moderate height, climbs along an arch or arbor. The bush is provided with shading from the sun by planting low, densely leafed annuals or perennials in the tree trunk circle. Clematis roots feed deep in the soil, so herbaceous ground covers do not compete with them. The Rapsody variety is winter-hardy and tolerates short-term frosts down to -34 °C. If a beautiful flowering plant is planted in a harsh climate, the stumps are covered with a thick layer of mulch for the winter after cutting the stems.
The clematis variety Rhapsody, which is distinguished by its moderate growth and abundant long-term flowering, is often grown as a container crop on the terraces of country houses or on the balconies of city high-rise buildings. The volume of the tub is not less than 10-15 liters. Such planting of clematis requires mandatory regular fertilizing with complex fertilizers.
Planting and caring for hybrid clematis Rhapsody
When growing a non-capricious variety, it is important to follow the recommendations according to the description and pruning group of clematis Rhapsody. Landing times vary by region:
- in the south they are planted from the end of September to November 7-10;
- in areas of the middle zone with a relatively mild climate - during September;
- in more severe areas - at the end of April, beginning of May.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Low-demanding clematis Rhapsody will grow everywhere except in dense shade or in the southern regions - in the full sun. For planting, prepare a fertile area where loose loams or sandy loams predominate with an acid reaction close to neutral or slightly acidic - from 6.5 to 7 pH. The plant can stay in one place for more than 20 years, so carefully prepare a fairly large hole measuring 60x60x60 cm:
- 1 part of the top layer of soil is mixed with 1 part of humus or compost;
- on clay soils, add 1 part sand to loosen the substrate;
- poor sandy soils are compacted with 2 parts clay and humus.
Add starting fertilizers to the prepared substrate:
- 200 g of complex mineral preparation;
- 120 g superphosphate;
- 100 g bone meal;
- 200 g wood ash.
On acidic soils, add 200 g of slaked lime to the hole.
Seedling preparation
When choosing clematis, inspect its roots - dense, fibrous, elastic, with small hairs. The cut stems are also fresh to the touch, flexible, with swollen buds. The flowers are delivered to the planting site tightly wrapped in a wet cloth and soaked for 6-12 hours. Plants in containers are placed in a large container of water so that the roots can be easily removed along with a lump of earth.
Landing rules
For successful development of the Rhapsody variety, adhere to the following recommendations:
- in areas with dense soil, a drainage layer is laid;
- fill half of the hole with part of the substrate, forming the soil into a mound;
- place the seedling, straightening the roots so that the root collar is 8-11 cm below the surface level;
- a solid support base is installed nearby;
- lay the entire substrate, water and mulch.
When planting in the spring, the hole is not filled to the level of the garden soil; the plant forms a lush bush. In autumn, the hole is completely filled and mulched.
Watering and fertilizing
Rhapsody clematis bushes are watered once a week with 10-20 liters per plant so that the soil is moistened to the entire depth of the root system. During periods of drought, water more often, trying not to direct the stream of water to the center of the bush. In April, all clematis are spilled with a solution of lime: dilute 200 g of the substance in a bucket of water. Fertilizing is carried out after watering 3-4 times per season:
- nitrogen - after the formation of shoots in the spring;
- potassium - before laying buds;
- organic – before flowering;
- phosphorus-potassium - in August.
Mulching and loosening
Laying down a layer of mulch retains moisture and during drought will protect clematis roots that are susceptible to hot weather, as will planting low herbaceous plants. If there is no mulch, loosen the soil and remove weeds.
Trimming
Clematis Rhapsody stems are pruned at the end of September, keeping 2-3 nodes. The hole is mulched for the winter. Sometimes several strong shoots are left, twisted at the ground and also covered with mulch.
Preparing for winter
When pruning clematis stems, remove all leaves. Humus and peat mixed with dry superphosphate and wood ash are poured into the hole. In harsh conditions, they are additionally covered with burlap, spruce branches, or the valuable clematis variety Rhapsody is preserved, as in the photo, in a greenhouse.
Reproduction
The clematis variety Rhapsody is bred vegetatively:
- adult 5-8 year old bushes are divided in autumn, late August, early September or early spring;
- 1-2 lashes are added in the spring for layering, separating the seedlings no earlier than a year later;
- rooted by cuttings.
Diseases and pests
Clematis varieties Rhapsody are often affected by wilting. The causative agents of the disease are various fungi, which are protected from by following agricultural practices:
- when watering, do not over-moisten the soil;
- bushes are not overfed with nitrogen preparations;
- In spring and autumn, prophylaxis is carried out with foundationazole or copper sulfate.
Grayish and whitish coatings on the stems and leaves of clematis Rhapsody are a symptom of the development of gray rot or powdery mildew. When rust occurs, the leaves become covered with orange circles. Fungicides are used for treatment. Insecticides are used against leaf-eating insects.
Conclusion
Clematis Rhapsody is a variety that is in demand in vertical gardening, since the vines tend upward without taking up much horizontal space.Its unpretentiousness and long flowering attract gardeners.
