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If you are a beginner florist, and you already want something interesting, beautiful, growing in different directions, and at the same time completely unpretentious, then you should take a closer look at Clematis Arabella. Do not be intimidated by the seeming capriciousness of these unique flowering vines. Description of the variety, reviews of gardeners, as well as photos and features of planting and caring for Clematis Arabella, placed in this article, will help you make the right choice.
Description
Clematis Arabella was obtained in the UK in the early 1990s by breeder B. Fratwell. It got its name from the daughter of Lords Hershel, wife of Lieutenant General J. Kizheli.
The Arabella variety of clematis, which is discussed in this article, is unusual even in that it does not have the ability to lasagna, like most of the common clematis varieties. It is usually attributed to the Integrifolia clematis group, the name of which is translated from Latin as whole-leaved. Indeed, the leaves of Arabella are not dissected, as in most clematis, and are covered with slight pubescence, which suggests that representatives of the Lanuginoza group (woolly clematis) were present among the parents of this variety.
The bushes of this clematis variety are able to form a fairly regular raised hemisphere of densely overgrown raised shoots. But at the same time, they completely lack the ability to cling to anything, therefore, when growing on supports, they must be constantly tied to them (like climbing roses). Due to this feature, Clematis Arabella is often allowed to grow as a ground cover plant.
On average, the length of the shoots of this clematis reaches 1.5-2 meters. But if it grows, covering the soil with its stems, then by attaching the shoots to the ground, you can achieve that they can grow up to three meters in length.
Clematis Arabella blooms on the shoots of the current year, therefore it is customary to refer it to the third trimming group. Its flowers are unique in that at the beginning of blooming they are characterized by a deep rich blue-purple color. As it blooms, the color fades and becomes bluish with a slight purple tint. The petals are elongated, separated from each other, they can be from 4 to 8 pieces. The anthers with stamens are creamy and may turn yellow when opened.
Flowering begins quite early - depending on the region of cultivation, it can be seen as early as June. Like most representatives of the Integrifolia group, Clematis Arabella blooms for a very long time, until September - October inclusive, as far as weather conditions permit. After heavy rains, the bush may decay and the plant may not look very presentable for some time, but soon new shoots with buds appear from the buds and flowering will continue soon.
Landing
The Arabella variety is usually referred to as clematis for beginners, since it can forgive the grower for many oversights, which more luxuriously flowering and capricious varieties of clematis no longer forgive.Nevertheless, a properly made planting will serve as a guarantee of a long life and abundant flowering.
Choosing a place and time for boarding
All clematis love bright lighting, and Arabella is no exception, although partial shade areas are fine. Due to the peculiarities of its growth, clematis of this variety can be planted in a flower pot or basket and grown as an ampelous plant.
And when planting in pots, and in ordinary soil, the most important thing is to arrange good drainage for the roots of the plant so that the water does not stagnate in the root zone during watering. Not a single clematis likes this, and it is the stagnation of water that is the cause of most of the health problems of clematis.
If you got a seedling with a closed root system, then it can be planted almost at any time during the warm season. Rooted cuttings of Arabella clematis are best grown first in a separate container, from which you can subsequently cut the walls so as not to damage the root system.
It is advisable to plant clematis Arabella seedlings with an open root system either in late spring or early autumn.
At whatever time you plant a seedling, in the first month after planting, it needs shading and constant maintenance in a moist state until it is completely rooted.
Selection of seedlings
Of all the varieties of clematis planting material widely available for sale, it is most advisable to choose small rooted cuttings with dormant buds. They are easiest to store before planting in the lower compartment of the refrigerator, and when they begin to wake up, temporarily drop them into a growing container.
Seedlings of clematis with a closed root system and green shoots can be bought if it is possible to plant them in the ground for 1-2 weeks, otherwise you will have to look for a suitable place to overexpose them for a long time.
When choosing seedlings of clematis with open roots, 2-3 unblown, but living buds and about 5 root shoots, with a total length of up to 50 cm, should be present on them.
Soil requirements
Clematis Arabella can grow in almost any soil, as long as it has a drainage system and nutrients present.
How is landing
If you plant clematis directly into the ground, then at the bottom of the prepared pit you must lay at least 20 cm of a drainage layer of expanded clay or crushed stone. When planting this variety in hanging baskets, a drainage layer is also necessary, but it can be about 10 cm.
For planting in a hanging planter, you can prepare a mixture of garden soil with humus by adding a few handfuls of superphosphate to it. When planting in the ground, the addition of humus and wood ash with superphosphate is also desirable, since it will provide the plant with nutrients for the whole year.
When planting, the root collar of a clematis seedling is recommended to be buried by 5-10 cm, but in the northern regions with high humidity it is better to use a thick layer of organic mulch on top of the plantings.
If you want to use a support, it is best to install it before planting the seedling. Just keep in mind that the thin shoots of clematis Arabella are not able to cling to it and you will need to tie it up all the time.
Care
Clematis Arabella care does not require any extra effort from you.
Watering
Watering can be done about 1 time per week, in particularly hot and dry weather, perhaps more often.
Top dressing
Regular feeding will be needed from about the second year of the plant's life. You can use ready-made complex organo-mineral fertilizers for flowers every two weeks.
Mulching
Clematis roots do not like heat and dryness at all, therefore, to maintain moisture and a suitable temperature regime, it is best to abundantly mulch the root zone with straw, compost or humus immediately after planting. Subsequently, you need to monitor and update the mulch layer about once a month or two.
Pruning
Clematis Arabella belongs to the third pruning group, therefore, it is pruned strongly in the fall - small (15-20 cm) stumps with 2-3 buds remain from all the shoots.
Shelter for the winter
The Arabella variety tolerates frosts well, so it is enough to cover the shoots left after pruning with a layer of organic matter and strengthen any covering material on top.
Disease and pest control
Clematis of the Arabella variety usually endures any adversity and if all the requirements for care are followed, then diseases and pests are usually not afraid of him. For the prevention of diseases, you can treat plants with a solution of Fitosporin, and bioinsecticide - Fitoverm will help against pests.
Reproduction
Arabella reproduces exclusively by vegetative methods, because when you try to propagate it by seeds, you get a result that is far from the original variety.
Cutting is considered one of the easiest and most affordable ways, but in the case of Arabella clematis, its cuttings take root slowly and rather tightly.
The best way for this variety is to propagate by layering. Since often the stems of clematis Arabella are already spreading along the ground, it is not difficult to pin them to the ground again. The daughter plant can be separated from the mother plant in the fall, before pruning.
Dividing a bush is also quite an affordable way, but it does not allow you to get a lot of planting material at once.
Professionals sometimes use clematis inoculation, but this method is not at all suitable for beginners.
Application of Arabella in garden design
Clematis Arabella, first of all, will look great as a ground cover plant both in a mixborder, where it forms blooming curtains, and at the base of the walls, decorated with curly large-flowered clematis.
You can use it in rock gardens, on retaining walls made of gravel or stone. And if you plant it next to small conifers or perennials, then clematis shoots can grow through them and, leaning on the stems, decorate them with flowers.
However, no one forbids letting it grow on a support, it is only necessary to periodically tie it up in different places.
Recently, it has become fashionable to use Clematis Arabella to decorate balconies and terraces in hanging pots and baskets.
Testimonials
Conclusion
If you have long dreamed of getting to know clematis, but did not dare where to start, try planting the Arabella variety in the garden. It is unpretentious, but it will delight you with its flowering all summer and even autumn, if it is warm. It also works well for container growing on balconies or terraces.
