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Clematis Veronica Choice, developed in England, has been growing in gardens since 1973. The plant is not very winter-hardy; in the middle zone it requires careful shelter. The worries are compensated by magnificent early and autumn flowering.
Description of clematis Veronica Choice
The liana is medium-sized, rises up to 2.5-3 m with the help of leaf petioles, the tendrils of which firmly cling to the support. The root system of clematis variety Veronica is powerful, fibrous, deepens to 35-40 cm, and consists of a dense bunch of shoots that emanate from the base. The width of the reddish-brown stems is from 2 mm. The leaves are large, ovate, with a pointed tip.
Luxurious flowers of the Veronica Choice variety open in June. The first flowering lasts 35-40 days. The bush blooms again in August. The buds of clematis that open from the beginning of summer are double, very lush, with large lower sepals. The petals in the center are white with a lavender tint, smaller in size, with a pointed tip. Towards the edges the lilac color becomes more intense, sometimes turning to purple at the border. The edges of the petals are wavy. The central "spider" is yellow or creamy yellow.
The first flowering with double buds occurs on overwintered vines. The Veronica Choice bush blooms for the second time on the stems of the current year. A young clematis vine produces simple buds with 6 large sepals. Under favorable conditions, additional formation of several small petals is possible. The size of the opened corolla in the first and second waves of flowering is 15-16 cm.
Clematis pruning group Veronica Choice
Early clematis with large voluminous flowers belongs to the second group of pruning. After the corollas of the first wave wither, the vines that remained from last year are cut off. Young stems develop intensively and create buds. In autumn they are cut from above, leaving 90-100 cm above the ground.
Planting and caring for clematis Veronica Choice
According to the photo and description, clematis Veronica Choice creates an expressive picturesque effect in the landscape, and the care taken to care for the large-flowered vine is justified by the result obtained. In regions with mild climates, clematis is planted in the fall. Bushes in containers are replanted throughout the warm season. When planting, follow the recommendations:
- exposure southeast, south, southwest;
- the place is sunny, protected from wind and drafts;
- an area without high groundwater, without stagnant moisture;
- the soil is slightly acidic or neutral;
- the interval between seedlings is at least 70 cm;
- superphosphate and humus are placed in the pit, clay is added on sandy loams, and sand on loams;
- In areas with heavy soils, drainage must be provided.
The hole with the clematis grandiflora seedling Veronica Choice is left uncovered with soil up to the surface level. This makes it easier for the bush to create new shoots. As new stems grow, the hole is supplemented with soil, and in the fall it is leveled and mulched.
Water 1-2 times a week if there is no rainfall. One seedling consumes up to 10 liters of water. If clematis is placed in the sun, the tree trunk circle is mulched or low-growing ground covers are planted. Plants develop better and bloom luxuriantly in the sun, but clematis roots must be protected from overheating and drying out the soil. In the south, Veronica's Choice clematis is placed in an area where light shade forms at midday.
The variety is fed with complex fertilizers, and in the spring with organic matter. You can also include half of the humus in the autumn mulch.
Preparing for winter
At the end of September or later, depending on the region, after pruning the vines, the tree trunk circle is filled with soil, comparing it with the surface of the earth in the garden. Lay a high layer of mulch. The clematis variety Veronica Choice is relatively winter-hardy, tolerates short-term frosts down to - 29 °C, and long-term frosts only up to - 23 °C. In November, the stems are twisted and placed under cover of spruce branches, burlap, and reeds.
Reproduction
The variety of large-flowered vine Veronica’s Choice is propagated only by vegetative methods:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing bushes.
For cuttings, in June, cut off the middle part of the vine and divide it into fragments so that there are 2 vegetative buds. Root in a substrate of a mixture of peat and sand for 40-60 days.Wanting to get sprouts from layering, they dig in a strong, healthy vine in the spring, bringing the top to the surface. Shoots grow from the nodes. They are transplanted after a year. Clematis bushes are divided in autumn or early spring, after the snow melts.
Diseases and pests
According to reviews, clematis grandiflora Veronica Choice is quite resistant to diseases. But under unfavorable conditions it becomes infected with various pathogens of fungal infections:
- in an area where the soil acidity is below pH 5;
- wastewater accumulates in the place where clematis is planted;
- liana grows in the shade.
Especially in such situations, the roots are susceptible to diseases. Then the stems and leaves become covered with yellowish and brown spots, wither and dry out. For prevention, plants are systematically treated: watered under the roots with a solution of foundationazole according to the instructions. The drug is also used in case of illness. Clematis that are too affected, with rotten roots, are removed from the area, and the growth site is also treated with foundationazole.
In summer, clematis can suffer from powdery mildew, gray rot, rust and other infections. Protect clematis in the fall and early spring prophylactically by spraying with copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture, and use fungicides for diseases.
The vines are sprayed with insecticides against leaf-eating insects. If the clematis has withered and must be removed, carefully examine the roots to see if there are galls formed by the nematode on them. If there are swellings, clematis cannot be planted in the hole for several years.
Conclusion
Clematis Veronica Choice with large flowers in delicate pastel colors will create exquisite decor in a bright, sunny and cozy place. The variety is often grown as a container crop.Compliance with the requirements of agricultural technology and annual prevention will protect the picturesque plant from diseases and pests.
