Sublime vines

Sunset, Spring-Summer, 1998 by Steven R. Lorton, Lauren Bonar Swezey

Of all the flowering vines, few win more admiring looks than clematis and passion flowers. And no wonder: they bear some of nature's most alluring blooms in a range of exquisite forms and colors. Both are easy to grow in the right climates. In general, clematis prefer cooler regions, while passion flowers flourish in mild California climates.

Passion flowers

Passion vine (Passiflora) flowers are borne on mostly vigorous vines suitable for covering fences, trellises, and walls. Hardiness varies by species and variety. In marginal climates, the vines may freeze to the ground, but plants spring back from the roots. Many of the listed varieties are available by mail (for source, see page 119).

SPECIES. Passiflora alatocaerulea. Fragrant flowers 3 1/2 to 4 inches wide are white shaded pink and lavender with deep blue or purple crowns. Extremely vigorous vine; evergreen or semievergreen. Blooms all summer. Sunset climate zones 12-24; root-hardy in zones 5-9.

P. vitifolia. Bright red flowers 3 1/2 inches long are set off by deep green grapelike leaves. Summer blooming. Evergreen. Zones 16-17, 23-24.

HYBRIDS. 'Coral Glow'. Fuchsia-pink flowers are nearly everblooming in coastal areas of Southern California. Glossy, three-lobed leaves are broad. Very vigorous. Hardy to 30 [degrees]. (Similar 'Coral Seas' thrives in cooler coastal areas of Northern California and is hardy to about 25 [degrees].)

'Elizabeth'. Spectacular lavender flowers appear spring through fall. Big, 4-inch-wide leaves are a glossy yellow-green. Extremely vigorous plant. Hardy to about 25 [degrees].

'Lavender Lady'. Lavender-purple flowers have delicate violet filaments. Dark green leaves are 2 to 3 inches wide. Hardy to about 20 [degrees].

'Purple Tiger'. Spectacular purple-red flowers, with banded dark purple and blue filaments, appear all summer in Northern California, almost year-round in Southern California. Hardy to 25 [degrees]. (Similar 'Ruby Glow' does best in Southern California and is hardy to about 30 [degrees].)

'Scarlet Flame'. One of the showiest, it bears red flowers with reflexed petals all summer. Prefers warm climates. Hardy to 25 [degrees].

Clematis

More than 200 species of clematis, as well as scores of hybrids, are available. Many nurseries carry a few varieties of clematis. You can also buy plants from mail-order suppliers (see page 119). Here are a few of our favorites.

SPECIES. Clematis alpina. From the Alps, this species produces an abundance of 2-inch-long blue blooms from May into June. C. a. 'Willy' has pale pink flowers that look a bit like fuchsia blossoms. Zones 1-6, 15-17.

C. Jackmanii'. Not a true species but a cultivated variety, 'Jackmanii' bears big deep-purple blossoms from June through August. Other selections come in shades of white and red. Zones 1-9, 14-17.

C. macropetala. Lavender to powder blue flowers 4 inches wide appear from March into April. C. m. 'Markham Pink' has lavender-pink blossoms. Delicate vines. Zones 1-9, 14-17.

C. montana. Commonly called the anemone clematis, it produces masses of pink flowers resembling anemone blossoms from April into May. Two varieties are widely available: C. m. 'Rubens' and C. m. 'Tetrarose'; both have flowers with a stronger pink than the plain species. Vigorous plant. Zones 3-9, 14-17.

C. viticella. Its buds resemble candles on the vine before opening into purple or rose-purple flowers 2 to 3 inches across with gently ribbed petals that curl back. Blooms June through August. Very vigorous plant. Zones 2-9, 14-17.

HYBRIDS. There are dozens of them, hybridized for large flowers in rich colors. Most put out a flush of bloom in June, then flower sporadically through summer. C. 'Marie Boisselot' has sparkling white flowers 6 to 8 inches wide. C. 'Hagley Hybrid' bears clear pink star-shaped flowers. C- 'Nelly Moser' looks like a dish of peppermint candy, with pale pink petals striped with dark rose. C. 'Niobe' bears dark red flowers.

PASSION FLOWER GROWING TIPS

Plant passion vines in full sun and well-drained soil amended with organic matter. The vines need little, if any, fertilizer. Water regularly to get plants established. Mature plants can get by on low to moderate water.

Train the vine up a lattice trellis or sturdy wire strung on a fence or wall. Trim off wayward branches occasionally. At the end of a plant's second year, prune out excess branches, cutting them back to the base or to another branch.

CLEMATIS GROWING TIPS

Most clematis grow best in loose, cool, moist soil. There's an old saying about clematis that is essential to know: Flowers in the sun, feet in the shade. Against a south- or west-facing wall, the plant should come up from behind a shading shrub, planted well enough away that roots don't compete. The vine will need a support system to climb on: a trellis or lattice works well.