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Clematis bush is no less picturesque garden plant than the spectacular climbing varieties. Low-growing, undemanding species are suitable for growing in temperate climates. Bush clematis decorate the garden with flowering from mid-summer to autumn.
Description of bush clematis
The herbaceous perennial bush of these numerous species of clematis rises from 45 to 100 cm, feeds with thread-like roots that extend in a bunch from the central trunk. Hybrid plants are larger, reaching 2 m, but young flexible shoots look like thin grass stems and require support and garter. In some varieties of low-growing bush clematis, the leaves are elongated, ovoid, with a pointed apex, and located oppositely on the stem. On other bush species, leaf blades of different shapes grow.
On the shoots, 7-10 single drooping flowers are formed in the shape of a bell, consisting of individual petals. The diameter of the flower is from 2 to 5 cm, in hybrid forms – up to 25 cm.The color and number of petals varies depending on the species and varieties of bush clematis: from 4 to 6 - white, purple, pink, blue. Clematis corollas bloom from the end of June, flowering lasts up to a month, but some varieties continue to bloom until September. In autumn, most bush species have very decorative fluffy fruit. Plants winter well in the middle zone and the Urals.
Among bush clematis, the most famous types are:
- straight with white small flowers;
- whole leaf;
- hogweed;
- shrub lobed and others.
Clematis bushes are also called clematis, which reflects the definition of the plant genus. Another name, princes, is rather erroneous, since in botany it designates a completely different type of vine from the genus Clematis.
Varieties of bush clematis
The most common bush species is whole-leaved clematis. Several dozen varieties are grown in the temperate zone. Nursery employees often sell them by adding the Latin species definition to the name of a particular bush variety: Integrifolia (integrafolia) - whole-leaved. Other species are also found in amateur gardens.
Alyonushka
One of the most impressive bush clematis with its touching beauty, judging by the photo and description. The shoots grow up to 2 m, they are tied up or directed to some shrub, and also formed as a ground cover. Complex odd-pinnate leaves have up to 5-7 lobules. The size of clematis flowers, consisting of 4-6 mauve, outwardly curved sepals, is up to 5-6 cm. It grows in the sun and in the shade.
Jean Fopma
The whole-leaved bush plant Jan Fopma reaches 1.8-2 m, the shoots do not cling, they are tied to a support. Flowers up to 5-6 cm, consist of pinkish sepals with a bright light pink, almost white border, and a lush white center. Bush clematis blooms from late May to late August.
Hakuri
Whole-leaved clematis bush Hakuree grows up to 80-100 cm. The plant shoots rest on a low trellis. The bell-shaped flowers are white on the outside and bloom from late June until autumn. The wavy sepals-petals are light purple on the inside and curl in an original way.
Alba
White bush clematis Alba species Integrifolia is low-growing, only 50-80 cm in height. Flowers are 4-5 cm, bloom from the twentieth of June to the end of August. Heavy rains reduce the decorative effect of the delicate corolla of bush clematis.
Blue Rain
Small-flowered bush clematis Blue Rain Integrifolia can send out shoots up to 2 m, which need to be tied up. Blooms profusely from mid-summer to early autumn. The bell-shaped corolla of four petals of bright purple-blue color reaches a length of 4 cm.
Direct white-flowered
Small-flowered white bush clematis has a species definition - straight (Recta). The root system of this very picturesque species is taproot and develops better in slightly acidic soil. The stems are thin, up to 1.5, sometimes 3 m, they are tied up or allowed along a low fence. The flowers are small, up to 2-3 cm - elegant, with a white corolla of 4-5 petals, reminiscent of myriads of stars on the bush.
Straight Purpurea white-flowered
This bush clematis, like the variety Recta Purpurea in the photo, has the same small white flowers as the original plant, but the leaves are purple in color. A spectacular bush is planted near fences, guiding and tying up shoots.
Radar of love
A tall bush variety of clematis of the Tangut species with feathery graceful leaves. Sometimes the name sounds like Love Locator. The original low-growing plant, originally from China and Central Asia, fell in love with gardeners for its bright yellow bell-shaped flowers. Hybrids reach up to 2.5-3.7 m and are also colored cream or orange.
Clematis brown Isabelle
The bush species originates from the Far East, grows up to 1.4-1.9 m. Curved sepals-petals of an unusual brown shade, but exquisite goblet-shaped, create a flower up to 2.5 cm in diameter. It blooms in the fourth year after planting.
New Love
A compact and exquisitely aromatic variety of clematis heracleifolia New Love is a low, highly ornamental plant, 60-70 cm. It is distinguished by large wavy leaves with carved edges. On a peduncle protruding above the foliage are several graceful 4-petal tubular flowers of blue-violet color, reminiscent of hyacinth. The diameter of the corolla is 2-4 cm, length 3 cm. It blooms in the second half of summer, the seeds do not have time to ripen before frost. The variety is used for borders and ridges.
Planting and caring for bush clematis
Herbaceous shrub plants are unpretentious and winter-hardy. Low clematis are planted in spring in regions with harsh climates, in the south - in autumn.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Most bush clematis develop well and bloom in sunny and semi-shaded areas. Six months before planting, the soil is dug up, mixing 1 square meter. m garden soil with a bucket of compost or humus, 400 g of dolomite flour, 150 g of superphosphate.
Seedling preparation
When buying a bush, make sure that buds are visible on the shoots in the spring. The root system of clematis is voluminous, at least 30-40 cm. Thread-like roots must be elastic, without damage. If the species has a tap root, many small shoots extend from the central trunk. Before planting, the roots are soaked in a growth stimulator, following the instructions.
Landing rules
When planting several bushes, holes measuring 40x40x50 cm are dug every 1.5 m. 5-9 cm of drainage material is laid at the bottom. Add to the substrate of 2 parts of garden soil:
- 1 part sand if the soil is heavy;
- 2 parts humus or compost;
- 0.8-1 l of wood ash;
- 80-120 g of complex fertilizer, which contains all three macroelements - nitrogen, potassium, superphosphate.
An approximate algorithm for planting bush clematis in the spring:
- a seedling is placed on a substrate formed by a mound, straightening all the roots;
- a support 0.8-2 m high is driven in nearby, guided by the declared size of the bush clematis;
- sprinkle only the roots with soil, leaving the hole not filled to the brim;
- make sure that the growing point is above the level of the garden soil;
- water and fill the hole with peat or mulch.
As shoots appear, the hole is gradually filled with soil. This technique when planting clematis will allow the shrub to develop shoots more abundantly. When planting a flower in the fall, the hole is filled with soil at ground level, but then in the spring, a layer of up to 10 cm is carefully removed, mulching the hole. By autumn, the hole is gradually covered with soil as the shoots grow.
Watering and fertilizing
After planting, bush clematis is watered every other day with 2-3 liters, focusing on the amount of natural precipitation.Adult plants are watered once a week - 7-12 liters, depending on size. Watering is especially important during the bud formation and flowering phase.
The number of flowers and the duration of flowering depends on the amount of nutrients in the soil, which are regularly replenished - after 16-20 days:
- in the spring, 20 g of ammonium nitrate or 5 g of urea are dissolved in 10 liters of water and half a bucket is added to the plants;
- the next feeding consists of 100 g of mullein infusion or 70 g of bird droppings infusion per 1-1.5 liters of water;
- When flowering, bush clematis are supported with a solution of potassium sulfate or complex mineral preparations for flowering plants, alternating with organic matter.
Mulching and loosening
After watering, the soil around the bush is loosened and the sprouts are removed weed. If necessary, fill the hole with earth. Then the entire surface around the stems is mulched:
- peat;
- chopped straw;
- rotted sawdust;
- dry grass without seed pods.
Trimming
The formation of a clematis bush is carried out from the beginning of growth:
- in the first year, pinch off the tops of the shoots so that new buds form;
- also in the first season, half of the buds are plucked, giving the roots the opportunity to develop;
- Clematis with long stems are pruned in the summer to direct their growth.
Preparing for winter
In September-October, according to the regions, moisture recharge is carried out - up to 20 liters per bush. A week later, the stems are cut at a height of 10-15 cm from the ground. Some bush clematis recommend cutting them off completely. Cover the top with leaves or peat.
Reproduction
Most types of bush clematis are bred:
- layering;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush;
- seeds.
For layering, the outermost shoots are placed in a pre-prepared groove, raising 10-16 cm of the top above the ground. Sprouts appear from nodes sprinkled with soil after 20-30 days. All this time, the soil above the stem is watered, and a solution of the mineral complex is added once. The sprouts are replanted the next year.
Cuttings are taken from the shoots of a 3-year-old bush before flowering. After treating with a growth stimulator, the sections are rooted in a mixture of sand and peat. A mini-greenhouse is installed on top. The sprouts are planted every other year, leaving them to overwinter well covered outside.
The bush is divided at the age of 5-6 years and transplanted into ready-made holes.
Some types of clematis are propagated by seeds, which take up to 2 months to germinate. The seeds are first soaked in water for 6-8 days, changing the solution 3-4 times a day. Bush clematis shoots appear in 40-58 days. A month later they are planted in pots, and then in May they are transferred to the garden - to the school. A permanent place will be determined next season.
Diseases and pests
In damp, cool or warm weather, plants can become infected with gray rot, powdery mildew, and rust. Diseases appear as brown, whitish or orange spots on the leaves. A plant with signs of gray rot is removed, and others that grow nearby are treated with fungicides. Other fungal diseases are treated by spraying with copper-containing preparations:
- against powdery mildew, copper sulfate, “Topaz”, “Azotsen”, “Fundazol” are used;
- for rust, use “Polychom”, “Oxychom”, Bordeaux mixture.
Clematis is damaged by slugs that eat young shoots, and aphids that suck the juice from the leaves:
- slugs are collected manually or special traps and preparations are used;
- Aphid colonies are sprayed with a soda-soap solution.
They destroy the nests of ants in the garden that carry aphids, or move the ant colony to another place.
Conclusion
Clematis bush is an interesting element of garden compositions. Low-growing bushes are used as decoration for roses, beautifully flowering vines, and as a living curtain for the lower part of buildings and fences. Various species can serve as colorful ground covers.
