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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 more and more popular among Russian gardeners. The culture is highly frost-resistant and easily takes root in harsh climatic conditions.
Description of Clematis Ernest Markham
Vines belonging to the Zhakman group have become widespread throughout the world. The Ernest Markham variety belongs to them. In 1936, it was introduced by the breeder E. Markham, after whom it got its name. Increasingly, this spectacular low-growing perennial plant is found in garden plots throughout Russia. As the photos and reviews of gardeners show, Clematis Ernest Markham is characterized by rapid flowering and is often used in decorating the landscape of summer cottages.
Clematis Ernest Markham is a perennial climbing vine that belongs to the Buttercup family. However, it is often grown in bush form. The height of some plants reaches 3.5 m, but mainly individuals with a height of 1.5 - 2.5 m are found. 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, has pubescence and is painted in brown-gray shades. The shoots are flexible enough, strongly branching and intertwined with each other. The support for them can be both artificial and natural.
Clematis Ernest Markham has leaves of an elongated, ovoid, pointed shape, consisting of 3 - 5 medium-sized leaves about 10 - 12 cm long and about 5 - 6 cm wide. The edge of the leaves is wavy, the smooth surface is painted in a glossy dark green shade. Leaves are attached to the shoots with long petioles, which allow the liana to climb over 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 considered to be its large bright red flowers. The plant blooms profusely, the flowering period lasts from June to October. The diameter of the opened flowers is about 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 McChem is widely used in landscape design for vertical gardening of fences and walls, decorating gazebos. The shoots will braid and shade the structure, thereby creating a comfortable place to relax on a hot summer day. With the help of vines, they also decorate terraces, arches and pergolas, form borders and columns.
Clematis Pruning Team Ernest Markham
Clematis Ernest Markham belongs to the third pruning group. This means that flowers appear on the shoots of this year, and all old shoots are cut in autumn to the 2nd - 3rd buds (15 - 20 cm).
Optimal growing conditions
Clematis Ernest Markham is a hybrid plant that takes root well in the Russian climate.The strong root system allows the vine to establish itself even on stony soils. The plant belongs to the fourth climatic zone, it can survive frosts up to -35 oC.
All clematis are light-requiring enough, therefore, when planting, preference should be given to well-lit places. Clematis Ernest Markham does not tolerate swampy soil. Location in such areas leads to root rot.
Planting and caring for clematis Ernest Markham
Reviews of the 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 of care is regular, abundant, but not over-watering. Also, as clematis grows, Ernest Markham is tied to supports.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The place for planting largely determines the further development of the vine. Clematis Ernest Markham is a perennial vine that has powerful, long roots, so the planting space should be spacious.
When choosing a place for planting clematis, Ernest Markham 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 the regions of the middle lane, places are suitable, illuminated by the sun throughout the day or slightly shaded at noon;
- The planting site must be protected from drafts, Clematis Ernest Markham reacts poorly to them, strong winds break shoots and cut off flowers;
- Clematis Ernest Markham should not be located in lowlands and in areas that are too high;
- Landing near the walls is not recommended: during the rain, water will drain from the roof and flood the vine.
For planting, loose sandy loam or loamy, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil with a high content of humus is suitable. 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, moreover, they can be planted in the ground regardless of the season.
When buying seedlings, be sure to check them well. The soil in containers must be clean and moist, free from molds. The appearance of seedlings with an open root system should be healthy, rotting and drying of the roots should not be allowed, since such plants most likely will not be able to take root and die.
Saplings of clematis Ernest Markham with an open root system are immersed in warm water before planting.
Landing rules
The best time to plant clematis Ernest Markham 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 until the first cold snaps. Before landing, a support is usually installed in advance at the selected place.
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 you 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 pit with small stones, pebbles or broken bricks. This will prevent stagnation of moisture in the area of the root system.
- Place the clematis seedling Ernest Markham in the planting hole, deepening the lower bud by 5 - 8 cm.
- Water well.
Watering and feeding
Clematis Ernest Markham needs regular watering. When the plant is located on the sunny side, it is watered once a week with about 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 the 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 dressings are used. In August, nitrogen is eliminated by adding only phosphorus and potassium.
Mulching and loosening
The soil near clematis must be loosened, and all weeds delete. With the onset of nighttime cold snaps, the soil surface around the bush is mulched with a layer of humus, compost or garden soil approximately 15 cm thick.
Pruning
After transplantation, clematis actively grows the root system in the early years. Flowering during this period may be rare or absent altogether. Pruning all the buds can contribute to the good development of the vine. This will help the plant save energy and direct it to growth and strengthening in new soil.
Pruning clematis by Ernest Markham 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, in the next season, lateral 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 directly the very pre-winter pruning.
Since clematis Ernest Markham belongs to the third pruning group, its branches are pruned almost to the root for the winter. Only small twigs about 12-15 cm long with several buds are left above the ground.
A universal way is to prune shoots one by one. In this case, the first shoot is cut in the above way, and only the top of the second is cut off. Thus, the entire bush is trimmed. This method of pruning promotes rejuvenation of the bush and an even arrangement of buds on the shoots.
Preparing for winter
In order to prevent fungal diseases, mulch soil around the bush is sprayed with fungicide and sprinkled with ash on top. Clematis Ernest Markham is sheltered when the ground only freezes and the temperature drops to -5 oC.
Clematis of the third group of pruning is covered with wooden containers, covered with dry foliage or spruce branches on top, wrapped with roofing material or burlap. If in winter the snow cover on the box is insufficient, then it is recommended to throw snow onto the shelter by hand. If the sheltered plant freezes slightly in too harsh winter, it will be able to recover and bloom at a later date than usual.
Reproduction of hybrid clematis Ernest Markham
Reproduction of clematis Ernest Markham is possible in several ways: by cuttings, layering and dividing the bush. The time of harvesting the planting material is determined, depending on the chosen method.
Cuttings
Cutting is the most popular breeding method for clematis, as it allows you to get many seedlings at a time. The best time for harvesting cuttings is considered to be the period before the buds open. Only healthy young shoots are suitable for cuttings.
Propagation algorithm by cuttings:
- Cuttings from the middle of the shoot are cut with a pruner or a well-sharpened knife. The length of the cutting should be 7-10 cm. The upper cut should be straight and the lower cut at a 45 degree angle. At the same time, it is necessary that from 1 to 2 internodes are present on the cuttings.
- The lower foliage is cut completely, the upper leaves - only half.
- Cut cuttings are placed in a container with a solution to stimulate growth.
- The next step is to prepare the soil.Clematis cuttings Ernest Markham are rooted both in the greenhouse and in the beds. Root them up to the first bud, tilting slightly and placing them in the top layer of wet sand.
- After planting the cuttings, the bed is covered with a film, this allows you to maintain the temperature in the range of 18 - 26 o
The beds are regularly watered and sprayed. The cuttings take root completely 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 reproduction process of clematis Ernest Markham by layering. Spring is the best time for the procedure.
Breeding technique by layering:
- On an adult plant, strong lateral shoots are chosen.
- Near the bush, grooves of small depth 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.
- Sprinkle shoots with soil, leaving only the top on the surface.
During the season, the layers are watered abundantly, and the soil near them is loosened. Over time, the first shoots begin to break through from the shoot. The number of shoots depends on the number of buds on the shoot.
Dividing the bush
You can divide only adult clematis bushes aged 5 years. The division is done in the spring. There is no need to dig out the clematis completely, you can only slightly dig it up on one side, thus freeing the root system from the ground. After that, with the help of a sharpened knife or shovel, part of the root system is carefully separated, and the cuts are treated with wood ash. After that, the separated parts are seated in prepared places.
Diseases and pests
Clematis Ernest Markham is prone to damage by various types of rot. The disease can provoke excess moisture in the soil or improper shelter of the plant for the winter. Other fungal enemies are fusarium and wilt, which provokes wilting. They also develop in waterlogged soil.
Of the pests of clematis, Ernest Markham often affects 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 remnants. Thrips, ticks and flies are removed with specialized insecticides sold in gardening stores.
Conclusion
As the photo and description of clematis Ernest Markham shows, the vine serves as an exquisite decoration for any suburban area. Bright flowers can revive even the most ordinary-looking and unpresentable background. The small size of the bush allows you to grow a potted plant on a balcony or loggia.
