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The photo and description of clematis by Ernest Markham (or Markham) indicate that this vine has a beautiful appearance, and therefore is becoming more and more popular among gardeners. The culture has high frost resistance and easily takes root in harsh climatic conditions.
Description of clematis Ernest Markham
Creepers belonging to the Jacqueman group have become widespread throughout the world. Variety Ernest Markham belongs to them. In 1936, he was introduced by the breeder E. Markham, after whom he got his name. Increasingly, this spectacular low-growing perennial plant is found in garden plots throughout Our Country. As 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.
Ernest Markham Clematis is a perennial climbing vine belonging to the Buttercup family. However, it is often grown in the form of a bush. The height of some plants reaches 3,5 m, but, in general, there are individuals with a height of 1,5 – 2,5 m. 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 colored in brown-gray shades. The shoots are quite flexible, strongly branched and intertwined. 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. The leaves are attached to the shoots with the help of long petioles, allowing the vine to climb various supports.
The powerful root system of the plant consists of a long and dense taproot with many branches. In length, some roots reach 1 m.
Photo and description of clematis flowers Ernest Markham:
The main decoration of clematis Ernest Markham are its large bright red flowers. The plant blooms profusely, the flowering period lasts from June to October. The diameter of the opened flowers is approximately 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 McHam is widely used in landscape design for vertical gardening of fences and walls, decorating arbors. The shoots will braid and shade the building, thus creating a comfortable place to relax on a hot summer day. With the help of creepers, they also decorate terraces, arches and pergolas, form borders and columns.
Clematis pruning group Ernest Markham
Clematis Ernest Markham belongs to the third pruning group. This means that the flowers appear on the shoots of this year, and all the old shoots are cut in autumn to the 2nd – 3rd bud (15 – 20 cm).
Optimal growing conditions
Clematis Ernest Markham is a hybrid plant that does well in the climate. A powerful root system allows the vine to be fixed even on stony soils. The plant belongs to the fourth climatic zone, it is able to survive frosts down to -35 oC.
All clematis are quite photophilous, therefore, when planting, well-lit places should be preferred. Clematis Ernest Markham does not tolerate waterlogged soil. Location in such areas leads to rotting of the roots.
Planting and caring for clematis Ernest Markham
Ernest Markham’s reviews of hybrid clematis allow us to conclude that this is an undemanding plant, even a novice gardener can handle its cultivation. The main rule in care is regular, plentiful, but not excessive watering. Also, as clematis grows, Ernest Markham is tied to supports.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The landing site largely determines the further development of the vine. Clematis Ernest Markham is a perennial vine that has powerful, long roots, so the seat should be spacious.
When choosing a place to plant clematis Ernest Markham, you should pay attention to the following:
- Despite the fact that Clematis Ernest Markham is a plant that loves light, light shading is necessary in the southern regions, otherwise the root system will get too hot;
- For regions of the middle lane, places lit by the sun throughout the day or slightly shaded at noon are suitable;
- The landing 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 too elevated areas;
- Landing near the walls is not recommended: during rain, water will drain from the roof and flood the vine.
Loose sandy or loamy, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil with a high content of humus is suitable for planting. The soil before planting 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, and besides, they can be planted in the ground regardless of the time of year.
When buying seedlings, be sure to check them well. The soil in the containers should be clean and moist, free of mold damage. The appearance of seedlings with an open root system should be healthy, rotting and drying out of the roots is not allowed, since such plants, most likely, will not be able to take root and will die.
Clematis seedlings Ernest Markham with an open root system are immersed in warm water before planting.
Rules of landing
The best time for planting 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 before the first cold snap. Before landing at the chosen place, as a rule, a support is installed in advance.
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 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 hole with small stones, pebbles or broken bricks. This will prevent stagnation of moisture in the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe root system.
- Place the Ernest Markham clematis seedling in the planting hole, deepening the lower bud by 5-8 cm.
- Water well.
Watering and top dressing
Clematis Ernest Markham needs regular watering. When the plant is located on the sunny side, it is watered once a week with about 1 liters of water. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the water in the soil does not stagnate.
Start feeding the plant after the final rooting. For 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 supplements are used. In August, nitrogen is eliminated, adding only phosphorus and potassium.
Mulching and loosening
The soil near clematis must be loosened, and all weeds must be removed. With the onset of night cooling, the soil surface around the bush is mulched with a layer of humus, compost or garden soil approximately 15 cm thick.
Trimming
After transplantation in the first years, clematis actively builds up the root system. Flowering during this period may be rare or absent altogether. Pruning of all buds can contribute to the good development of the vine. This will help the plant save energy and direct them to growth and strengthening in the new soil.
Clematis pruning Ernest Markham greatly affects its flowering. In the first year after transplantation, gardeners are advised to leave only 1 strongest shoot, shortening it to a length of 20-30 cm. Thanks to this procedure, the side shoots will develop and bloom more actively next season.
In subsequent years, the pruning procedure is carried out in the fall. It includes the removal of old, dry, diseased shoots and the pre-winter pruning itself.
Since Clematis Ernest Markham belongs to the third pruning group, its branches for the winter are pruned almost to the root. Only small branches about 12-15 cm long with several buds are left above the ground.
A universal way is to trim the shoots through one. In this case, the first shoot is cut off in the manner indicated above, and only the top is cut off from the second. Thus, the entire bush is trimmed. This pruning method contributes to the rejuvenation of the bush and the uniform arrangement of buds on the shoots.
Preparation for winter
In order to prevent fungal diseases, the mulched soil around the bush is sprayed with a fungicide and sprinkled with ash on top. Clematis Ernest Markham is covered when the ground just freezes and the temperature drops to -5 oC.
Clematis of the third group of pruning are covered with wooden containers, falling asleep on top with dry foliage or spruce branches, wrapped with roofing felt or burlap. If in winter the snow cover on the box is insufficient, then it is recommended to throw snow on the shelter manually. If a sheltered plant freezes slightly in a 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: cuttings, layering and dividing the bush. The time for harvesting planting material is determined, depending on the method chosen.
Cutting
Cuttings are the most popular clematis propagation method, as it allows you to get many seedlings at a time. The best time for harvesting cuttings is the period before the opening of the buds. Only healthy young shoots are suitable for cuttings.
Propagation algorithm by cuttings:
- Cuttings from the middle of the shoot are cut with secateurs or a well-sharpened knife. The length of the handle should be 7 – 10 cm. The upper cut should be straight, and the lower cut should be at an angle of 45 degrees. At the same time, it is necessary that from 1 to 2 internodes are present on the cuttings.
- The lower foliage is cut off completely, the upper leaves – only half.
- Cut cuttings are placed in a container with a solution to stimulate growth.
- The next step is soil preparation. Clematis cuttings by Ernest Markham are rooted both in the greenhouse and in the beds. It is necessary to root them 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 finally take root in 1,5 – 2 months. Transplantation to a permanent place is carried out after the plants have reached the shape of a bush.
Reproduction by layers
Curly long and flexible shoots greatly facilitate the process of reproduction of clematis Ernest Markham layering. Spring is the best time for the procedure.
Reproduction technique by layering:
- On an adult plant, strong side shoots are chosen.
- Near the bush, grooves of small depth are dug with a length equal to the length of the shoots.
- The selected shoots are placed in the grooves and fixed using wire or special staples. Otherwise, they will gradually return to their previous position.
- The shoots are sprinkled 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 sprouts begin to break through from the shoot. The number of sprouts depends on the number of buds on the shoot.
Division of the bush
You can only divide adult clematis bushes over the age of 5 years. The division is done in the spring. There is no need to dig out the clematis completely, you can only dig it slightly from one side, thus freeing the root system from the ground. Then, using a sharpened knife or shovel, part of the root system is carefully separated, and the cut points are treated with wood ash. After that, the separated parts are seated in prepared places.
Diseases and pests
Clematis Ernest Markham is prone to various types of rot. The disease can provoke an excess of moisture in the soil or improper shelter of the plant for the winter. Fusarium and wilt are considered other fungal enemies. They also thrive in waterlogged soil.
Of the pests of clematis, Ernest Markham is often affected by 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, mites and flies are removed with specialized insecticides sold in gardening stores.
Conclusion
As the photo and description of clematis Ernest Markham shows, the liana serves as an exquisite decoration for any summer cottage. Bright flowers can revive even the most nondescript and unpresentable background. The small size of the bush allows you to grow a plant in a pot on a balcony or loggia.
