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Of course, for long-term flower growers or venerable plant collectors, the Purpurea Plena Elegance variety of clematis will not be a discovery, it is too common and popular. But on the other hand, beginners in floriculture will not be able to resist admiration for a truly worthy variety of clematis, which combines unpretentiousness with beauty and abundance of flowering at the same time.
Description
Clematis variety Purpurea Plenas Elegance cannot be called completely new – it was obtained at the very turn of the century more than 100 years ago in France. According to some sources, its author is the famous breeder F. Morel, according to others – E. Andre. Despite its considerable age, the variety has not yet lost its popularity and is one of the most common and best-selling clematis in the world. This clematis was even awarded the highest award of the Royal Horticultural Society.
One of the names under which it is sometimes found on sale – Royal Velvet or Royal Velvet, can cause some confusion among flower growers. Since the clematis variety “Evifour” is sometimes sold under the same name. And they called it that for the amazing, almost velvety texture of the flower petals, although some gardeners claim that it disappears by the end of summer and the flowers become simply beautiful.
Clematis variety Purpurea Plenas elegans belongs to the Vititsella group, which, in turn, belongs to the third pruning group. His flowers appear mainly on the shoots of this year.
Liana has an average growth energy and in especially favorable conditions can reach 4 meters, although in conditions its shoots usually grow to 2,5 – 3,5 meters.
Flowers and buds look mainly up and to the sides. The uniqueness of this variety of clematis is the fact that all the flowers formed on it are double. And the absence of pistils and stamens leads to a rather unusual type of flowers, different from many other varieties. In addition, among the clematis of the 3rd pruning group, that is, those that have time to form flowers on young shoots of the current year, you will practically not find terry varieties. This is the privilege of clematis of the 2nd pruning group, in which similar flowers are laid on last year’s, unpruned shoots.
The flowers cannot boast of large sizes, they grow only up to 5-8 cm in diameter, but they are formed in such abundance that they are able to form a real flowering wall.
Their color is also somewhat unique. It’s hard to describe it in words. At the time of opening, clematis flowers are distinguished by a rich deep dark red hue, which over time not only fades slightly in the sun, but changes and becomes reddish-purple with a purple hue. The shade of clematis color can also be determined by soil composition and light levels.
Finally, the flowering of clematis of this variety itself can begin as early as the end of June and is so long that it lasts until September inclusive. It is perhaps difficult to imagine any other such variety of clematis that would bloom so profusely and for a long time, and even with double flowers. It is for this that Clematis Purpurea Plenas elegans is a favorite with many flower growers.
But this is not all the advantages of the hero of the article. The frost resistance of this variety is also admirable – it withstands frosts down to -40 ° C and is grown without problems even in the harsh conditions of Western and Eastern Siberia.
In addition, the choice of lighting for growing Clematis Purpurea Plenas elegans is also quite large. It will not be able to grow only near the northern walls, all other exposures are quite suitable for it. For him, even areas with light penumbra are suitable. When planted in such places, flowering will only begin a few weeks later, otherwise it will be as abundant and luxurious as in the sun.
Yes, and as for resistance to diseases and adverse conditions in general, this variety of clematis rarely has any problems, especially if it is planted correctly and the basic rules for growing it are followed.
But subsequently, he is able to grow a huge number of stems and leaves, and then flowers, practically from scratch in one warm season.
Landing
Planting clematis is a very responsible business, because plants have a long lifespan and, with the right approach, can please you for up to 20 years or more.
Choosing a place and time for landing
The most important parameter for all clematis, without exception, is a place with good drainage, in which stagnation of water is never observed, especially during early spring when melt water melts. And rain moisture, especially from roofs, should not fall in abundance on clematis bushes. These luxurious vines are very fond of watering and humidity, but stagnant water in the root zone will not be categorically approved.
The sun, of course, is very desirable, but Purpurea Plenas elegans, if necessary, can do with semi-shady conditions. As mentioned earlier, its development in this case will only slow down somewhat.
Constant winds and drafts are also very undesirable – clematis can be protected from them with a wall or other powerful bush or even a tree.
Planting time is determined by the type of seedling. If you have a plant with an open root system, then you can plant it either in early autumn or late spring.
Seedlings with a closed root system are planted at any time during the warm season.
Selection of seedlings
It is best to buy seedlings whose buds are still dormant. Clematis seedlings with leaves can only be bought in containers.
Of course, there should be no visible signs of damage or disease on clematis plants.
Soil requirements
Purpurea Plenas elegans, like most clematis, prefers well-fertilized, light, well-drained soils in which the roots will breathe and grow vigorously. If you have increased acidity on the site, then be sure to add wood ash or lime when planting.
How is landing
Clematis are planted in extensive, specially prepared pits, about a quarter of a cubic meter in size, previously filled with a mixture of suitable soil, humus or compost, wood ash and a fertilizer complex. At the bottom of the pit, it is desirable to additionally lay a drainage layer of sand and pebbles. In such conditions, the roots of the creeper will be comfortable, and she will thank you with lush flowering.
The landing site is usually prepared in advance, preferably a few weeks in advance. Immediately you need to take care of stable supports that are dug into the ground even before landing. The roots of clematis, when planted, must straighten out and gradually fall asleep with earth. It is customary to deepen the root neck from 3 to 10 cm. But be careful with the deepening when planting in the northern regions, it is better to fill the planting site with a thick layer (up to 10-15 cm) of organic materials.
Immediately after planting, the clematis seedling is tied to the supports; later, the shoots themselves will find their way up.
Care
Despite all the unpretentiousness, Clematis Purpurea Plenas elegans requires at least minimal attention.
Watering
Regular and fairly plentiful watering is very important for clematis, because the lack of moisture will not allow the plants to fully absorb all the nutrients and the flowering period may be reduced, and this will not affect the abundance.
It is advisable to water the plants in cloudy weather or after sunset about 3-4 times a week.
Additional fertilizing
With proper organization of planting, clematis will not need to be fed in the first year. But, starting from the second year of life on your site, they must be regular and complete, otherwise, where does the vine get so much strength for flowering.
Clematis can be fed with both mineral and organic fertilizers 1 time in 2-3 weeks and once a month it is desirable to spray microelements in chelated form over the leaf.
Mulching
Clematis, as a rule, adore the sun, which cannot be said about their roots, which prefer coolness and humidity. Therefore, it is very important to constantly keep the root zone closed with a thick, loose layer of mulch. This layer will also help retain moisture and provide additional nutrition to the clematis roots, which will never be superfluous.
It is desirable to supplement the mulch layer regularly (once a month) with fresh material – cut hay, sawdust or compost.
Trimming
In the first planting season, absolutely all clematis are cut at a height of 2-3 buds from ground level. In the future, with Clematis Purpurea Plena elegans, the same procedure is repeated every autumn. And every year in the spring, he begins an almost new life, growing shoots almost from the ground itself.
Shelter for the winter
Since Clematis Purpurea Plena elegans is cut very short for the winter, there is no need to build special shelters. It only needs to be covered with a more powerful layer of humus and covered with non-woven material, which is strengthened so that it is not blown away by the wind.
In the spring, with the onset of the first warm days, begin to gradually free the root zone by raking the mulch to prevent the roots from drying out.
Fighting diseases and pests
Clematis variety Purpurea Plenas elegans shows good resistance to most diseases. But in early spring, when the kidneys wake up, it is possible to carry out preventive treatment against diseases of the root zone with Fitosporin, and preventive treatment with Fitoverm will help against pests.
Reproduction
For Clematis Purpurea Plenas elegans, the following propagation methods are well suited:
- By dividing the bush It is optimal to propagate plants that have reached the age of 4-5 years. You can do this procedure in autumn or spring, digging and separating part of the bush.
- Cuttings you can get many new clematis plants at once. It is better to cut the cuttings before flowering, using 3-4-year-old bushes. A shoot cut from the middle is cut into pieces 6-7 cm long, with at least two buds, which are placed in a mixture of peat and sand and kept until rooting with constant moisture.
- Layering – the easiest way, in which mature clematis shoots are laid to a depth of about 10 cm in specially dug grooves and covered with a light mixture, leaving only the very tip of the shoot on the surface. A new plant is separated only for the next season.
- seed method it does not make sense to use, since this variety of clematis is a hybrid and among the seedlings there is unlikely to be a representative similar to the mother plant.
Application in landscape design
The main advantage of Clematis Purpurea Plenas elegans is its versatility. It is also used to decorate pergolas, arches and arbors, and to create a vertical component in flowering mixborders, and for landscaping hedges.
But due to its relative unpretentiousness, clematis elegans is able to decorate an old wall, a dried tree, and even a garbage heap.
Reviews
Conclusion
An abundance of beautiful double flowers throughout most of the summer is what awaits you if you plant Clematis Purpurea Plenas elegans in your area.
