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Clematis is one of the popular plants that many gardeners prefer to grow. It has earned its popularity due to its long-term growth, unpretentiousness and abundant flowering. The flowers of this plant are very interesting and beautiful, with an unusual color. Particularly interesting is that this garden plant has many varieties that differ significantly from each other. A good representative is Clematis Change of Heart.
Description Clematis Change of Heart
Clematis Change of Hart is a Polish variety that is characterized by a fairly long and rich flowering. It was bred in Poland in 2004 by breeder Szczepan Marchinsky. It got its name Change of Heart in 2014, which means “change in the heart”. It was put on sale in 2016.
The plant is climbing, reaching 1,7-2 m. A garter is not required, since the vine wraps itself around the supports.
It blooms for a long period: from May to July on new shoots and last year’s, often the culture of the variety blooms again. Simple flower with 6 sepals. The size is average – about 10-13 cm. It differs from others due to its interesting color, which changes from purple-red to light pink during the flowering period. The flowers are purplish-red when they appear, reddish-pink at the peak of flowering, and brighter when finished. The sepals also have a light pink, slightly bluish edging and a light, almost white at the base, stripe in the middle. In the core of the flower are stamens with yellow anthers on green threads and with yellow columns.
Flowering is abundant from the base to the very end of the vine. The leaves are simple, heart-shaped, trifoliate, plain green with a glossy surface. Young leaves are oval with a sharp point.
According to the reviews of most gardeners, as well as the photo and description, Clematis Change of Hart blooms very beautifully. Its flowers are amazing, constantly changing, making the clearing in the garden very beautiful.
Clematis pruning group Change of Hart
Clematis Change of Hart requires pruning group 3, which involves a strong pruning of the plant to shoots no more than 50 cm above the ground and with the presence of 2-3 pairs of buds. Due to this action, clematis is gaining strength faster, which leads to abundant flowering.
Clematis Change of Hart 3 pruning groups do not require special care, it is enough to prune it correctly in early spring or autumn. It is important to leave no more than 3 shoots, otherwise the flowers will be smaller.
Planting and caring for hybrid clematis Change of Hart
Planting clematis Change of Hart can be done in the following ways:
- seeds;
- seedlings.
The most common planting method is still the seedling method with purchased planting material (seedlings), since this method is less labor intensive.
More experienced gardeners successfully use the seed method. But since the clematis variety Change of Hart is a hybrid, the process is more laborious and not all seeds can sprout. You need to use only seeds purchased in the store.
Be sure to stratify the seeds. This process helps the seeds germinate faster and promotes uniform seedling emergence. It is performed in early spring, it lasts from 1 to 3 months, depending on the size of the seeds. The larger the seeds, the longer the stratification process.
Stratification is done in the following way:
- Prepare a container for planting with soil (peat, sand, earth at the rate of 1:1:1).
- Sow seeds to a depth of 2 cm – large and 1 cm – medium.
- The container is placed in a place with a temperature of 0 to 5 degrees, withstand the required period, after which a transplant is performed.
After seed germination, when several leaves appear, picking of seedlings is required. The pick is performed immediately in a separate pot. After performing this procedure, the subsequent care of seedlings is reduced to watering and shallow loosening. Planting seedlings in open ground depends on the planting method:
- The method is Kiwi – seeds are sown in a container, then they are sprinkled with sand and covered with plastic wrap. After the container is sent to a room with a temperature of at least 20 degrees. Seedlings grown in this way are planted at the end of August.
- Sharonova’s method – in September, seeds are sown in a plastic container, covered with polyethylene and sent to a warm place. Germinated seeds with the appearance of several leaves are transplanted into separate containers. Seedlings are planted in July at a distance of 1 cm from each other.
- Sheveleva’s method – implies sowing seeds by stratification, then transplanting seeds in the spring. And when seedlings appear, they are transplanted into open ground. Seed germination with this method is the highest.
A place for transplanting into open ground should be chosen less sunny and windy, since Clematis Change of Hart does not tolerate through winds and scorching sun. The soil should be nutritious and light. Planting seedlings should be done at a distance of at least 20 cm between them.
Preparation for winter
Preparing for winter clematis Change of Hart begins with pruning.
As a rule, pruning should be carried out at the end of October or in the first decade of November, depending on the region. This procedure must be carried out in dry weather. Clematis of the Change of Hart variety should only be cut off old shoots to a height of up to 30 cm.
Also, in late spring, it is necessary to treat the soil under the cut plant with an antifungal solution (0,2% Fundazol solution). It is also recommended to mulch the soil around with a mixture of sand and ash (10:1).
In addition, this plant requires wrapping in order to more easily survive the winter.
Reproduction
For propagation of clematis Change of Heart (Change of Heart), 2 methods can be used:
- cuttings;
- layering.
By cuttings, this garden plant can be propagated only when it reaches 3 years. The most suitable cuttings are those that outwardly seem to be stiff. The optimal time for cuttings is the last month of spring or the beginning of summer. The shoots are pruned, in no case should there be buds on them, but at least one node is required. After the shoots are divided into cuttings, which are planted in sandy-peat soil and placed in greenhouse conditions.
Reproduction by layering is a longer method, which implies 2 ways at once:
- The bush is fertilized and spud until the 3rd leaf appears. Then the shoot is brought to the soil, where it should take root within 2 years. As soon as the roots are strengthened, it is separated from the main bush, cut off the upper part and transplanted to a permanent place.
- The horizontal shoot of the plant is buried in the ground in early spring and for the whole summer. At the same time, the end of the shoot is left above the ground by at least 20 cm. At the same time, the shoots must be pinched.
There is also a propagation method by dividing the bush, but it is only suitable for plants older than 5 years.
Diseases and pests
Of particular danger to clematis Change of Hart is a fungal disease such as black leg. This disease mainly affects seedlings. There is a fungus in the soil, so it must be disinfected before planting this plant.
Conclusion
Clematis Change of Heart is a garden plant, unpretentious and quite beautiful. With proper planting and pruning, a luxurious meadow of color-changing flowers is guaranteed.
