The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-06-12
FOR THE FLORAL DEPARTMENT.
Olematis in Florida.

oHaViHS received appreC1atlVe notice,
1t is suggested that the treatment which
mas made them possible here, be told in
these columns as ''Clematis is regarded as
Hat failure in Florida sand and climate"
One southern florist has thought, however,
that some sorts promise we'll for the south
after becoming established which opinion
the present writer shares.
ours Is (northern-grown) Henryi, "a
much stronger grower than most of the
other varieties" and pronounced the best
large Towering whiteClematis in cultivation
one OF the finest and most beautiful of that
family which experienced florists declare
has no rival among strong growing bios
somlng plants as a veranda climber, a fence
screen, pillar, wall or arbor plant, or for
rock work or pot cultivation
1t was set in that favorable month"; De-
cember, three years ago. it was little time
in getting acclimated and as yet, is not
spreading; but it has bloomed repeatedly, is
now budded again. its flowers are very
durable lasting week. 1t grows very rap
idly, at intervals;it is strong-wooded and re-
covers bravely from injuries. 1t is of the
Lanuginosa type, which blossom succession
ally on the new growth both in summer and
autumn, an advantage over the Tackmanni
type which spend themselves in summer
Our success has been due in part; prob
ably, to the particular type-more So to the
location chosen--against a north piazza,
not far enough east to feel severely the
morning sun in summer, and so far from
the west end as to escape almost wholly the
hotter western sun. Tackmanni, more del
icate was set with Henryi but several feet
farther west, it bloomed admirably once
or twice, and then steadily failed, its feeble
life ended in plant jar during the freeze
in December last.
The downy green leaf buds of Henryi
were swelling when the February freeze
suspended life above the ground; after
awhile came from the root the shoots bear
ing the flowers lately mentioned The in
creased size of blossoms five or more inches
across, the six or eight petals spreading
from the exquisite center, brown-tipped,
feathery and fragrant tuft), also the deep
ened green of the foliage is attributed
beyond proper sprinkling the use, as
recommended, of stock manure. This
wholesome fertilizer and stimulant - for
which there can hardly be an equivalent
has been applied in moderate quantity per
haps quart, too, of pulverized yellow clay
has been added and worked into the sur
face soil. Fairly clean soapy water is an
aid neglected.
"Clematis," says an authority, should
be grown in deep. rich, sandy loan, and
be we'll mulched with rotten manure. The
richest sheets of bloom and largest flowers
are obtained where it has partial shade and
aliberal supply of water at the roots" The
same authority considers Jackmanni. purple
and Alexandra, reddish violet, preferable
in the one type, Henryi, white, and Sic
boldi, blue make his other.
Though with better knowledge we crave
a second trial of Jackmanni, our confidence
is in the Lanuginosae for this climate. We
find the fiat woods clay with our sand an
advantageous mixture for other plants be-
sides Clematis, notably for roses which call
for it; and we are prone to see IN this union
the solution of many of our garden prob
nd