Clematis Andromeda: photo, planting, pruning, reviews

Clematis Andromeda is a tall climbing liana shrub with an abundant type of flowering. The variety is classified as a large-flowered clematis, it blooms quite early. During the season, the plant is able to completely braid any supporting structure and cover up an unsightly wall of a living space, an old gazebo or a rickety fence. Vertical gardening is the main application of the Andromeda variety in landscape design.

Description of Clematis Andromeda

Clematis Andromeda (Andromeda) – a two-color early-flowering variety that forms fairly large flowers. Their diameter can reach 20 cm when grown in favorable conditions, the average length of the shoots is 3-4 m. The flowers are painted in delicate cream tones approaching white, a deep dark pink stripe runs along the center of each petal on the inside. The center of the flowers is yellow. In spring and summer, clematis forms semi-double flowers, in autumn – solitary.

The first flowering occurs on last year’s shoots, which throw out a large number of buds. The second time, Clematis Andromeda blooms not so abundantly.

Clematis Andromeda pruning group

In the description for the Andromeda variety, it is indicated that clematis belongs to the 2nd type of pruning. This means that immediately after its shoots fade, a small part is cut off from them along with the seedlings. The purpose of this pruning is to encourage re-blooming, due to which the clematis throws out a significantly larger number of buds in the fall.

For the winter, the shrub is cut off not so superficially. Only 50-80 cm of the total length are left from the shoots.

Planting and caring for clematis Andromeda

Clematis large-flowered Andromeda is a non-capricious, but rather demanding variety. He does not like transplantation, so the shrub is planted immediately in a permanent place. If the plant still needs to be transplanted, the clematis will bloom extremely weakly for several years, the growth of the shrub will noticeably slow down. This is explained by the fact that at this time clematis will be busy strengthening the root system, all nutrients will go to rooting.

Selection and preparation of the landing site

The site for planting clematis varieties Andromeda should be selected taking into account the following recommendations:

1. The culture of this variety does not grow well in the wind and does not like drafts, so it is planted in well-protected places with poor ventilation.
2. For full development, the plant needs a reliable support, so the Andromeda variety is placed near walls and fences. At the same time, it is important to maintain the distance between the shrub and the support – at least 40-50 cm. If clematis is planted next to a metal fence, this distance should be even greater, since the metal heated by the sun will inevitably burn the shoots and leaves of the plant.
3. Excess light for the Andromeda variety is harmful, so it is best to place the shrub in partial shade. If you plant it in the sun, the clematis flowers will quickly fade.
4. Clematis reveals its potential most fully on moderately moist soils with a high content of humus. Loamy or sandy soils are best suited.
5. You can not plant clematis Andromeda in a lowland or in an area with a close location of groundwater – stagnant moisture and waterlogging of the soil have a detrimental effect on the root system of the plant. For prevention purposes, drainage is placed at the bottom of the landing pit so that the water does not stagnate.

Preparing the site for planting comes down to digging and fertilizing. For these purposes, humus is usually used.

Seedling preparation

Two-year-old seedlings take root best of all. When buying planting material, you should pay attention to samples with a developed root system – healthy, strong seedlings should have at least 3 long roots (about 10 cm).

Preparation of planting material before planting involves soaking in cold water for 2-3 hours.

Regular planting of clematis Andromeda

The Andromeda variety is planted according to the following scheme:

1. In a pre-prepared area, they dig a hole with a depth of about 70-80 cm and a width of at least 50 cm. The optimal distance between two adjacent holes is 60-70 cm.
2. A drainage layer about 20 cm thick is placed at the bottom of the pit. Broken bricks, clay shards, gravel, pebbles or expanded clay can be used as drainage.
3. A fertile soil mixture of the following composition is poured over the drainage: the top layer of garden soil taken from the pit, humus and compost, taken in equal proportions. All this is thoroughly mixed and diluted with 100 g of superphosphate, 300 g of dolomite flour and 1-2 tbsp. wood ash.
4. The resulting soil mixture is poured into the planting hole, filling it up to half, and a small mound is formed from it. A clematis seedling is installed on it and the roots of the plant are carefully spread along the slopes.
5. After that, the pit is covered with the remnants of the soil mixture, while the root neck of the shrub is deepened by 10-12 cm.
6. Immediately after planting, the Andromeda seedling is watered abundantly.

Watering and top dressing

Water the plantings of the Andromeda variety moderately, as they do not like excess moisture. One watering per week is enough in normal weather, however, this number is increased to 3 times if a strong heat sets in. During heavy rains, watering is completely stopped. About 30 liters of water are consumed per plant at a time, 20 liters are enough for seedlings.

For the full development of the Andromeda variety, frequent top dressing is needed: both mineral and organic. During the season, the area of ​​u4buXNUMXbthe near-stem circle is fertilized at least XNUMX times, all procedures are carried out after heavy watering or rain.

You can follow this pattern:

1. The first 3 years after planting in open ground, the shrub is fed with a solution of dolomite flour (200 g of the substance per 10 liters of water). In this case, be sure to use warm settled water.
2. In the spring, clematis Andromeda is fertilized with a solution of urea (1 tsp of the substance per 10 liters of water).
3. In summer, you can feed clematis with mineral fertilizers (for example, Kemira Universal is suitable) or with a solution of mullein diluted in a ratio of 1:10. In early June, ammonium nitrate is added to the soil (50 g of the substance per 10 liters of water, no more than a bucket is required per bush). The recommended frequency of fertilizing is 1-2 weeks, and it is important to alternate different types of fertilizers.
4. After flowering, the Andromeda variety is fed with phosphate or potash fertilizers.
5. In autumn, ash is introduced into the soil, in the form of liquid top dressing. About 0,5 liters of solution are spent on one bush.

Mulching and loosening

The Andromeda variety is extremely sensitive to overheating of the soil, so the near-stem circle of the shrub is mulched without fail. The optimal layer of mulch is about 10-15 cm.

Additionally, you can shade the lower part of the plant with low horticultural crops: hostas, astilbes, daylilies. They will not only protect the roots of clematis from the sun, but also remove excess moisture from the soil. So, water will not stagnate in the soil.

Loosening is carried out mainly in June and September. The procedure is necessary in order to provide better oxygen access to the clematis root system.

Pruning Clematis Andromeda

Pruned shrubs of the Andromeda variety in the fall. The cut is made to a height of about 1,5 m – this means that 10-15 knots must be left. In general, no more than 10 of the strongest shoots are left for the winter, which must be covered before the onset of frost. So, the flowering of clematis in the spring will be plentiful.

Preparation for winter

All varieties of clematis are considered quite frost-resistant, however, in the cold regions of the country it is recommended to cover the plants for the winter. All work on warming the plant is best done before the onset of severe frosts – you can start at a temperature of -5-7 ° C, preferably in dry weather.

First of all, dry and damaged parts are removed from the shoots, after which they are removed from the support and laid on boards laid out nearby. The shrub is sprinkled with dry leaves, straw or hay, a frame is installed on top. Covering material is stretched along the support so that the clematis is protected from precipitation, but at the same time it can breathe a little.

Reproduction

The Andromeda variety is propagated in different ways:

• seeds;
• pinning;
• division of the bush;
• layering.

Among the most effective methods of reproduction include the formation of layering. According to this method, the Andromeda variety is propagated as follows:

1. A healthy bush about 5 years old is dug out completely, trying not to damage the root system of the plant.
2. Without destroying the earthen ball as a whole, the excess soil is gently shaken off the roots.
3. After that, the bush is divided so that each part contains at least one bud on the root neck and has a developed root system.
4. On the same day, all the resulting divisions must be planted in new places as soon as possible, so the landing pits are prepared in advance.
5. After transplanting, the plants are moderately watered.

Despite the stress that the transplant inevitably causes, Andromeda delenki quickly take root in a new place.

Diseases and pests

The Andromeda variety is unattractive to pests and resistant to many diseases, which greatly facilitates its care. Bushes do not need to be additionally treated with chemicals for prevention purposes, however, occasionally shoots and leaves of clematis are affected by a fungus. It is not difficult to cure a shrub – in most cases it will be enough to treat the plant with a 2% solution of “Azocel”, “Trichodermin” or 1% solution of copper sulphate. It also copes well with the fungus “Fundazol”, which also acts softer than other chemicals.

Conclusion

Clematis Andromeda is a fairly demanding variety, but not capricious. With proper care, it will delight with unusually abundant flowering twice a season and decorate any vertical surface. With the help of this climbing shrub, you can effectively mask small flaws in the construction of a fence or gazebo, cover up a poorly painted section of a wall, etc. Clematis Andromeda looks especially advantageous against a dark background.

You can learn more about the features of growing clematis from the video below:

Reviews about clematis Andromeda