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The Ville de Lyon variety of clematis is the pride of French breeders. This perennial climbing shrub belongs to the large-flowered group.
Description of the variety
The stems grow to a height of 2.5-5 m. The light brown young branches of Ville de Lyon clematis acquire a brown hue as they mature. One bush can have about 15 shoots, each forming up to 15 buds.
Ville de Lyon shrub blooms from July to September. The first round-shaped flowers grow on average 10-15 cm in diameter (sometimes even 20 cm), and the later ones already become smaller to 6-10 cm.The color palette of the petals changes from carmine-red at the center to deep purple at the edges (as in the photo) ...
Gardeners value Ville de Lyon clematis for several reasons:
- frost resistance allows you not to dig out bushes for the winter;
- fast-growing branches create a picturesque hedge on walls or gazebos every season;
- abundant flowering of clematis decorates the site for a long time;
- minimal care of the bushes is required;
- the shrub is resistant to fungal infections.
When planting crops in open areas, it must be borne in mind that flowers may lose their bright color. Literally burn out in the sun.
Landing nuances
Areas with fertile soil, neutral or slightly alkaline, are selected. Ville de Lyon bushes thrive on loose, well-drained soils.
Clematis of the Ville de Lyon variety actively weaves over the fence and over specially installed picket fence or netting. It is important to properly arrange the honeycomb bases for the stems. The main thing is that the height of the support for clematis is at least 2 m and wider than 1.5 m.
The seeds of Ville de Lyon are large (about 5-6 mm thick and 10-12 mm long). They differ in an uneven long germination period - from one and a half to eight months, so you can start planting them immediately after collection.
Stages of work
- Seeds of clematis Ville de Lyon are dipped in a solution of growth stimulants for 30 minutes: Epin, succinic acid. 3-5 cm of drainage are poured into a low box (15-20 cm is enough), then 10 cm of fertile soil (mix in equal parts earth, peat, sand).
- Seeds are laid in moistened furrows up to 1.5 cm deep, covered with earth and moistened.
- To germinate as much seed as possible, use the stratification method - alternating temperatures. First, the box is kept in a warm room for 2 weeks with diffused lighting. Then 6-8 weeks in the refrigerator (vegetable compartment). Then they again put the container with clematis seeds in a warm room. At the same time, they make sure that the soil does not dry out too much.
- After 3-4 weeks, the first shoots of clematis sprout. Acceptable germination quality - 60%.
- After the appearance of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings are seated in separate containers. Individual shoots must be removed carefully, because other seeds may germinate later.
Depending on the region, Ville de Lyon saplings are planted in an open area in spring or autumn. In the southern regions, the optimal period is late September-early October. Moreover, the trunk is deepened so that the lower kidney is below ground level (5-8 cm in central Russia and 3-4 cm in the south).Thanks to this, side shoots will grow and the clematis of the Ville de Lyon variety will not freeze in winter.
Wells with a diameter of about 50 cm are placed in 70-80 cm steps and prepared in advance. Superphosphate 50 g is poured into the hole, about a bucket of humus, and wood ash - 300-400 g. If the soil is characterized by high acidity, then lime can be added (about 150-200 g). Since clematis of the Ville de Lyon variety is a perennial, a drainage layer (pebbles, expanded clay, crushed brick) must be laid out in the hole. The seedling is deepened and added dropwise, watered.
It is recommended to mulch the near-trunk circle of the bushes to prevent the rapid drying of the soil. An excellent option for "permanent mulch" can be low plants that shade the roots of clematis Ville de Lyon and serve as an additional planting decor. An excellent choice is marigolds, marigolds, especially since these flowers also have fungicidal qualities and repel harmful insects.
Care rules
For the first couple of years after planting, the shrub builds up the root system.
And blooms profusely from 3-4 years of age. In order for clematis of the Ville de Lyon variety to fully develop, the shoots are evenly distributed over the support and tied up with ropes. We must try to ensure that all the foliage is fully illuminated. Shoots of clematis, creeping along the ground, must be carefully tied to a support.
Shrub pruning advice
When growing clematis, three types of pruning are practiced. The Ville de Lyon shrub is formed according to the third type (flowers grow large): the stems are strongly cut. This event is held to stimulate lush flowering. They are engaged in the formation of clematis bushes in spring or autumn. All processes are removed approximately 7 cm from the kidney. The approximate guideline for the cut is 20 cm from the earth's surface.
To carry out high-quality pruning of Ville de Lyon clematis, use a sharp pruner. To prevent the spread of possible diseases, the tool blades are treated with an alcohol solution after each bush.
Watering mode
As the land dries up, the clematis varieties Ville de Lyon are irrigated, preferably in the evening. Experienced gardeners recommend using warm water for watering the bushes. Moreover, one must try to avoid getting liquid on the green mass or stems. To do this, water is poured carefully, trying not to stagnate around the root collar. Immediately after watering, the soil is loosened or mulched.
Young shrubs need frequent watering (about twice a week). Adult clematis irrigate less often. But you need to focus on the weather conditions. The shrub is bad for excess moisture. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant it in lowlands or in areas with a high location of groundwater.
Fertilization
It is practiced to fertilize the soil 4-5 times per season. If, when planting clematis of the Ville de Lyon variety, the land was well fertilized, then in the first year no additional fertilizing is used.
At the beginning of spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied to ensure enhanced growth of green mass. When buds begin to tie on the bushes, the soil is fertilized with potassium and phosphorus. At the end of the season, granular superphosphate can be used. When using any fertilizer, the manufacturer's recommendations should be carefully followed. Clematis Ville de Lyon does not respond well to excess feeding.
Growing recommendations
In regions with cold winters, it is advisable to protect the clematis shrub from frost. To do this, the stems are cut at a height of approximately 20 cm from the ground, laid on the ground, covered with dry foliage and earth. The center of the bushes also needs protection.It is recommended to pre-loosen the ground in the clematis trunk circle and also cover this entire area with foliage or sawdust. It is important to prevent shoot rot.
Clematis of the Ville de Lyon variety is considered resistant to fungal diseases. However, at the beginning of the season, it is recommended for preventive purposes to spray the bushes with Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate (use a 1% solution). If, nevertheless, signs of infection appear, then it is necessary to remove the affected areas and treat the clematis with fungicides.
Bushes of the Ville de Lyon variety with luxurious flowering originally decorate both the fencing of the site, and the gazebos, balconies. If the plantings are provided with good conditions, then clematis is able to grow in one place for more than 20 years. Therefore, he deservedly enjoys the love of summer residents and gardeners.
