Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Ground Rules

There have been a few problems in my garden this year because I thought the rules didn't apply to me. My plan for an arbor with purple wisteria on one side and gorgeous, white clematis on the other side is not to be, at least not in the spot I planted them.

Wisteria healthy and green.

Wisteria grows like a weed and doesn't always bloom where it is planted, especially when it doesn't get enough sunlight (current location). I thought I could plant it where I wanted to plant it (counting on its 'weedyness'), not where it needed to be planted.

*SIGH*


Wisteria shading Clematis.
Last week I admitted defeat and trimmed it back, I also plan to move it in December to a location where IT will be happy (I'll try to adjust). 

It's a good thing I got pictures of last year's beautiful clematis blooms because I got nothing this year. Too much shade - because of a wildly, healthy, weedy, green wisteria blocking out the sun and giving me a green/yellow, pitiful clematis this spring. Turns out the old garden rule of "heads in the sun, feet in the shade" is one I need to remember and follow, so maybe next year I can have beautiful blooms on my clematis and beautiful blooming wisteria.

After I trimmed up (cut down) the wisteria I added a few pots
so this corner of the garden wouldn't look so bare. (Notice
the clematis is all greeny-yellow and sad looking.)
 
I left a few leaves on the wisteria, and noticed new growth on the plant in less than a week. Now to keep every thing trimmed, mulched, and watered.

Gardening (and baseball) - there's always next year.

*

6 comments:

Jenny said...

I have clematis and wisteria on the same arbor. Similar problems. I didn't know the law of feet in the shade, head in the sun. I planted all on one side thinking it would grow all over the arbor. It is all hanging in the same place, vying for the sun. It is pretty but not "right". This fall is gets changed, too. xo Jenny

TexWisGirl said...

can't say i know how to garden at all in texas. my trumpet vines were struggling. my crape myrtles were struggling. both of which should be as hardy as can be in this climate!

RURAL said...

That's a true gardeners nature, plant it where we want it to grow, and then hope that sheer force of will, makes it flourish.

LOL....

Jen

YONKS said...

We have been very lucky with wisteria in the past. We have always planted in the crappiest of soil full of rubble. It's always loved it and blessed us with huge flowers. They can be tricky. I have heard that there are many sold that will never bloom. They have to be grafted plants, not from roots. Good luck, plant it in poor soil.
Di
xxxxx

Mary said...

Yes, clematis definitely needs to have its 'feet' in the shade, and I layer stones around the bottom too.
My wisteria has gone mad on the arbor we built for it - I gave it a haircut last year and this year the flowers were non-existent but the vining stems went crazy! Now I don't know what to do with it because I see it climbing a nearby tree and can't even see the arbor! I need to get into garden gear (you know, those grubby bits of clothing you hope you won't be seen in by anyone other than your hubby), arm myself with loppers and just do it before the cottage is covered and we disappear forever!

Hugs - Mary

P.S. Gardening - a thing of beauty, a job forever!

HolleyGarden said...

"Next year" is what keeps us gardeners going! I have never tried growing wisteria - I'm scared of it - so kudos to you for growing it and even moving it! I've heard you have to prune it to get it to bloom. Good luck figuring out the secret!