HOW TO GROW CLEMATIS ARMANDII

How to grow Clematis armandii - Emmanuel Touzery CC BY-SA 4.0

With all the large-flowered clematis hybrids becoming increasingly susceptible to Clematis wilt, most people's specimens end up spending the year looking little more than a thatch of dried stems. So to save years of disappointment, you are likely to get far more ornamental value from the other species, cultivars and alternative hybrids.

How to grow Clematis armandii

Arguably one of the best is the evergreen Clematis armandii, along with its various selected cultivars, my plant of choice is the pure-white flowered 'Snowdrift' which received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1984.

Native to central and western China, Clematis armandii is a strong growing, evergreen climber noted for it early blooming. Under favourable conditions you can expect the stems to reach a length of 4.5-6 metres long. Reminiscent of the deciduous species, the dark-green, glossy leave are composed of three leathery leaflets Each one can be up to 15 cm long. The creamy which flowers of the true species are between 5-6.5 cm across and are carried in axillary clusters during April or early May. Occasional blooms can appear from November onwards.

How to grow Clematis armandii

Clematis armandii will flower at its best when grown in full sun however it will be quite happy growing in semi-shade. It is ideal for a warm south or south-west facing wall with protection from cold winds. Grow in any moist, fertile, well-drained soil, though preferably one with either an alkaline or neutral pH. Mulch the base of the plant with well-rotted garden compost or farm manure but avoid having the mulch touching the stem.

Unlike the large flowering hybrids you do not need to bury the root ball below the soil level, plant Clematis armandii with the crown at soil level.

In coastal regions the leaf tips can take on a burnt appearance if grown in salty soil or salty water.

Clematis armandii was first brought to the attention of English gardeners in 1900 by renowned plant hunter Ernest Henry 'Chinese' Wilson (1876 – 1930), then subsequently received the First Class Certificate (FCC) from the Royal Horticultural Society.

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HOW TO GROW KIWIFRUIT FROM SEED

How to grow kiwifruit from seed

To begin with, remove the seeds from your chosen piece of kiwi fruit and lay them on a paper towel to dry. Make sure the seeds they are placed in an area where they will remain undisturbed for two days.

Kiwifruit seeds

Fill a sealable plastic bag with vermiculite or perlite substrate. Add the dried kiwi seeds to the substrate, seal the bag and place it in the bottom of a refrigerator for a minimum of four months.

Once this cold period is over they are ready for potting. First, fill a 6-inch pot with sterilized potting compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Potting'. Then remove the kiwi seeds from the refrigerator and plant them in the potting soil at a depth of 1/8 of an inch and 1 inch apart.

Moisten the compost with a spray bottle of water and cover the pot with a piece of glass, clear plastic or cling film, secured with a rubber band. Place the pot in a warm area while the kiwi seeds germinate.

Kiwifruit seedlings

Remove the plastic wrap once the kiwi seeds begin to germinate, and continue spraying the kiwi seeds with water to keep the soil moist.

Place the pot in an area that receives direct sunlight for at least six hours per day.

Transplant the kiwi seedlings outdoors during the spring, in well-drained soil that preferably has an acidic pH between 5.5 to 7.0.

If you are not sure of your soil's pH you can test the soil with a shop bough pH soil tester in order to determine the acidity before planting. If necessary, amend the soil with lime raise the pH and moss-peat to lower it.

How to grow kiwifruit from seed

Once in the ground, you will need to water the kiwi plants each week as necessary for the first year.

Also, fertilize the young kiwi vine with a 10-10-10 fertilizer according to the label instructions. As the kiwi vine matures it will need supporting with wires or trellis.

You will also find that applying a layer of mulch around the kiwi plants will reduce weed growth and improve drainage.

Do not overwater the kiwi plants or you can cause root damage.

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