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Among clematis, late-flowering varieties are valued, which adorn the garden for a long time. “Princess Diana” is a strong and very beautiful flower.
This is the most famous representative of the Texas group for gardeners. To grow Princess Diana on the site, be sure to familiarize yourself with the nuances of planting and caring for clematis.
Description
Clematis “Princess Diana” was bred in 1984 by British breeders, which can be easily guessed from the name of the plant. Differs in simplicity in leaving, unpretentiousness, long blossoming and extraordinary beauty.
Flowers are the pride of clematis.
For their sake, gardeners are constantly growing new items to enrich the site with unexpected colors. ‘Princess Diana’ flowers are bright pink with yellow stamens in various shades, from cream to rich yellow. The diameter of one liana flower is 5-7 cm, the shape is funnel-shaped in the form of tulips pointing upwards. Each flower consists of 4 petals with pointed tips. The flowers look original and unusual, so gardeners are happy to use the Princess Diana variety to decorate arbors, terraces, fences, pergolas.
In addition, clematis flowers exude a light delicate aroma that very gently saturates the air.
A very interesting feature of the clematis variety is that in autumn and winter it is decorated with decorative seedlings.
Liana “Princess Diana” keeps well on supports and grows well.
The height of the bush is 1,0 m – 1,5 m. The plant is compact and versatile. The composition of the soil is completely undemanding. Often grown in containers.
The duration of flowering is from June to September, all summer in the plots there is a riot of color of the original luxurious clematis flowers.
“Princess Diana” prefers to plant a place protected from the wind, with good lighting and moisture permeability. For “Princess Diana” you need to provide enough sunlight – at least 6 hours a day.
The variety of creepers “Princess” belongs to perennial plants. Therefore, in addition to the usual care measures, it is necessary to maintain regular pruning and cover the bushes for the winter. After competent pruning of the vine, the number of shoots increases annually.
Gardeners like this clematis variety for ease of pruning.
Landing
For any plant, planting is a very important event. Liana “Princess Diana” is no exception. The intensity and duration of flowering of the variety depends on the conditions under which clematis is placed.
Choosing a place and time for landing
Planting clematis varieties “Princess Diana” is best in the place that is most suitable for this variety. Liana needs a sunny place, where there are no gusts of wind and stagnant moisture. The variety “Princess Diana” really likes the southern, southwestern and southeastern sides of the site. Especially if the sun illuminates the site for at least 6 hours a day. At noon, the flower should be in partial shade so that the leaves do not get burned.
It is desirable to plant a variety of clematis on a small mound, natural or self-formed. This will protect the roots of the vine from the effects of groundwater.
Clematis “Princess Diana” is planted in warm regions in autumn (October), spring planting is suitable for areas with a cool climate. The landing algorithm in both cases is identical, but there are some differences:
Autumn | Spring |
At the time of planting the vine, fill the pit to the level of the ground | Fill the hole to the top gradually, over several days |
Mulch the landing site and cover | Shade the root system of the vine by planting ground cover without further loosening |
Selection of seedlings
There are two options for buying clematis seedlings.
- Cuttings with dormant buds. They are sold in bags with peat or polyethylene with an earthen clod. Such semi-finished seedlings are stored in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. After the cutting of the Diana creeper starts to grow, the clematis is transplanted into a container and left in a cool, lit place (for example, a windowsill). The container is chosen one that can then be easily cut when transplanting clematis into the ground.
- Seedling with shoots and leaves. This is where caution is needed. You can safely buy such material if 1-2 weeks are left before disembarkation. It also needs to be stored in a cool place. It is better not to take such clematis seedlings if transportation is planned. Liana “Princess Diana” quickly stretches, breaks during transportation.
Soil requirements
The soil for the vine needs fertile, with good drainage. The structure is loamy and slightly alkaline. Of course, it is not easy to find ideal conditions, but it is quite possible to correct existing ones. To improve the nutritional value of the soil, you need to add superphosphate (150 g), dolomite flour (400 g), 2 buckets of a mixture of humus, compost and garden soil.
How is landing
General requirements for planting clematis “Princess Diana”:
- Dig a hole 60 x 60 x 70 cm. There should not be a fence in the form of a fence or wall nearby. The minimum distance from the vine to the fence is at least 30 cm.
- Lay a drainage layer 20 cm thick (crushed stone, broken brick).
- Pour a layer of soil (10 cm).
- Fill in fertile soil.
Be sure to prepare a support for the Princess Diana creeper with a height of at least 1,5-2 m.
At first, the flower needs shading so that the root system can take root.
More about planting vines:
Care
To grow a beautiful clematis “Princess Diana” will require not too complicated care. The plant needs to provide a classic set of activities so that it pleases the gardener with its flowering.
Additional fertilizing
In the first year, you should not abuse the top dressing of clematis “Princess”. The plant is still weak, an overdose of nutrients will lead to root rot. Starting from the second year, the following scheme has been followed for “Princess Diana”:
- spring – nitrogen fertilizers and watering with lime milk;
- budding phase – potash compounds;
- after flowering – phosphorus;
- after summer pruning – complex complete mineral fertilizer.
During the rainy season, it is necessary to sprinkle the stem of the vine near the ground with ash.
Loosening and mulching
Mulching for “Princess Diana” partially replaces the plant’s need for watering and loosening. As a mulching material, it is good to take humus or rotted manure and sprinkle a layer of peat on top. After watering and rain, moisture will be better retained in the soil, and humus will provide additional nutrition to the vine. Also, mulching clematis contributes to the structuring of the soil due to the reproduction of worms in it. In winter, mulch acts as a shelter for the root system of the vine from freezing.
When there is no mulching, the gardener will have to loosen the near-stem zone of the vine every other day and weed the weeds.
Watering
“Princess Diana”, like all clematis, loves moisture. With insufficient watering, the flowers become smaller, the leaves wither and fall off. The frequency of watering clematis varies depending on weather conditions and the age of the flower. Young vines are watered once a week. In dry and sunny weather, it is necessary to increase the frequency to once every 5 days.
The need for vines “Princess” for irrigation is determined by the state of the soil at a depth of 20 cm. Dry land is an indicator for abundant irrigation of clematis. In order for moisture to penetrate deeper, it is recommended to dig flower pots around clematis, which are filled with water when watering. This technique improves the quality of watering, from which clematis bloom longer and more abundantly. After watering, the earth is loosened if there is no mulch layer.
Trimming
“Princess” belongs to the third trim group. This is a handy group for gardeners. Shoots are pruned during the growing season several times. In autumn, everything is cut almost to ground level, leaving 10-15 cm. In spring, there are more shoots, and the Princess Diana bush is more magnificent. If strong shoots are left uncut, then lignified vines will bloom 20 days earlier than cut ones.
Shelter for the winter
Preparations for sheltering clematis begin as soon as night frosts begin. First, the base of the bush is spudded with a layer of 10-15 cm. Garden soil, humus or compost will do. Then be sure to spray the ground around the bush with a solution of any fungicide and sprinkle with wood ash. Metal buckets are not used for shelter.
Fighting diseases and pests
Clematis of this variety is resistant to powdery mildew, but is not able to resist wilting.
The onset of the disease occurs in the root system, so compliance with the irrigation schedule is an important condition for prevention. Removal of affected areas is recommended to be done in May, this must be done along with part of the soil. If the disease is mild, then it is necessary to carry out root watering with “Fundazol”. Preventive treatment of vines against powdery mildew and gray rot is done by “Azotsen”.
Spraying with copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid helps prevent rust on clematis.
The end of summer is the time of possible damage to clematis by ascotichosis, necrosis and cylindrosporiosis. Treatment of creepers is mandatory, in this case, a solution of copper sulphate is used.
Among the pests for clematis “Princess Diana” nematodes are dangerous. They damage the root system of the vine and lead to the death of the flower. To prevent the appearance of nematodes, you need to properly prepare the soil when planting and not violate the irrigation schedule.
Reproduction
There are several ways in which you can propagate a luxurious variety:
- By dividing the bush. The root system of the bush is divided with a knife or secateurs. After planting, shoots are cut to two buds.
- Rooting cuttings. The most simple and reliable. The term is early spring, when the plant is tied to supports. A high-quality creeper shoot is placed in a groove 7 cm deep and pressed to the ground. It doesn’t immediately sprinkle, you need to wait until the shoots grow to a length of 10 cm. The top of the layering of the vine is left without soil. During the growth period, pinch out new shoots. Young vines are separated from the mother bush for the next spring.
- Cuttings. The best time is the budding phase, which occurs at the end of May or the beginning of June. On the cutting of clematis, one internode and two well-developed buds are left. The length of the stem under the node is 4 cm, above it – 2 cm. The material is rooted in plastic cups or immediately in the ground, having prepared a nutrient mixture. Be sure to provide the creeper “Princess Diana” with greenhouse conditions.
Application in landscape design
Clematis varieties “Princess Diana” are used on the site for decorating arbors, terraces, pergolas. But besides, as for beauty, the vine is also used for practical purposes. It will perfectly disguise an unsightly wall or part of a farm building, an old fence or an unfinished fence. A very interesting solution is to use a vine as a groundcover.
If this is not done, then the flower will violate the drainage system or will not allow sunlight to enter the room.
Reviews
Conclusion
“Princess Diana” is a clematis variety that is suitable for growing even for novice gardeners. If you perform care items regularly, then during the summer it will delight with its flowering. With the help of a creeper, you can create an unusual composition, add comfort to the gazebo or decorate an unsightly place.