Clematis the Snow Queen

Clematis is a perennial climbing plant that is very often used when creating landscape design in order to decorate various structures on the site, as well as walls, facades of houses and fences. There are many varieties of this culture. Of the favorites, the Snow Queen clematis variety can be distinguished, which will be discussed further in the article. The flowers of the plant have a large diameter and are distinguished by a snow-white shade, as well as the abundant and lush flowering characteristic of all clematis, which lasts two periods per season. Clematis the Snow Queen is not at all demanding in care, except for the formation of a bush.

Clematis Snow Queen: variety description

Clematis the Snow Queen: photo of the variety

Clematis Snow Queen is considered an early variety, because it blooms early, having large inflorescences. This variety comes from New Zealand, after which, thanks to the successful work of breeders, it became possible to grow the plant in our country. The stem can grow up to three meters long. This value is influenced by the climatic conditions of the region.

Clematis the Snow Queen has large flowers, the diameter of which can reach 20 cm. A distinctive feature of the variety is the snow-white buds with a barely noticeable shade of purple. The flower petals have an uneven edge. In the middle, bright crimson large stamens stand out. Clematis of this variety has two flowering periods in 1 season. Thus, the plant begins to please the eye at the end of spring, covering the support under it with a snow-white carpet.

Then, after a short break in late summer or early autumn, clematis regains a new wave of flowering. The picture is complemented by the bright green leathery leaves of the flower.

Since clematis of the Snow Queen variety is adapted to our weather conditions, it has sufficient resistance to frost and can withstand temperatures up to minus 20 degrees without shelter. If the winter is more severe in your area, then after the leaves fall, special preparation for winter is required. Observing these conditions, the Snow Queen can be grown in any part of Russia.

Clematis Snow Queen is grown both in a garden bed in an open area, and you can plant them in special flowerpots and pots. Since the vine is very good at twisting, you can create various structures and supports and give direction to the growth of the flower. For a better look, it is recommended to choose dark supports, on which the white flowers will stand out in contrast.

Clematis planting rules Snow Queen

It is better to choose the place where Clematis Snow Queen will grow in advance, since this perennial plant does not tolerate transplanting well. Open, sunny places are good. Here clematis will bloom much brighter, more luxuriant and develop better. You can also choose partial shade, but it is important that the sun is at least five to six hours in this area. A prerequisite is the absence of wind and drafts, since bad weather can cause mechanical damage to the plant, cutting off its thin stems or flowers.

If you plant Clematis of the Snow Queen variety near the facade of the house or near other walls, you should keep a distance from the wall at least half a meter, and also make sure that moisture from the roof does not get on the clematis.

The soil suitable for this plant should be light and loose so that air can freely pass through the roots. Acidic soils will not work, so if you have soil with an increased acid reaction on your site, then lime should be added to it. And if the soil is loamy, then you can add some sand to the garden bed where the plant will grow. Add more sand. This will make the soil lighter for better air circulation.

Low-lying areas where water can stagnate will not work. Or those areas where groundwater is high. Waterlogging of the soil and stagnant water can lead to various rotting processes that will affect both roots and stems and cause fungal diseases.

The best place on the site is a small hill or hillock. Water will never stagnate here, and moisture evaporates much faster. If there is no hill on the site, then you can build a slide yourself. If the soil is predominantly clayey, then it is necessary to create a good drainage layer, as well as build furrows and channels through which excess moisture will drain.

The planting hole should be prepared 60 days before the planned planting date of clematis. It is necessary to carefully dig up the planting site, clear it of various debris, stones, weeds and remnants of previous plants. The dimensions of the planting pit should be about 50 cm by 70 cm.If you are planting several crops, then the interval between them should also be about 70 cm, since the vine grows strongly in the future and needs space for good flowering.

Garden soil is mixed with organic fertilizers. You can take rotted humus, where a mixture of sand and lime is added, or you can also add a little more ash. At the bottom of the pit, a sufficient drainage layer is first laid, about 10 cm. In case of an increased acidic reaction in the soil, crushed chalk is used as drainage. Then the planting site is covered with polyethylene and left in this form for a while.

Most often, Clematis Snow Queen is planted in the third decade of spring. Planting clematis is also possible in autumn. September is suitable here, since before the onset of cold weather, the roots of the plant must grow strong enough and adapt so as not to freeze in winter. You should not plant clematis seedlings later, it is better to postpone the planting then to the spring.

Seedlings for planting must be healthy, strong, with no signs of any pests or diseases, they must have a strong root system, and buds must be present on the stem. The root system of the planting material must be kept for some time in a weak manganese solution for disinfection. A mound is formed in the planting pit, on which the seedling is placed vertically, straightening the entire root system without damaging it. When planting clematis, the root collar should be deepened by about 7-10 cm from the soil surface so that the plant gives as many stems as possible. Especially this variety of clematis needs a deep planting. If the number of plant shoots is greater, then the protective forces of clematis will be higher.

After planting Clematis Snow Queen, the soil around the stems is compacted and a furrow is formed for irrigation, after which the plant should be abundantly watered with water at room temperature.

You should be patient, because at the beginning of its growth, the Snow Queen variety grows slowly, weakly gaining green mass. It must be remembered that this is a normal development for a given culture. A more lush and active flowering will begin only after two or even after 3 years.

Clematis the Snow Queen: rules for caring for the variety

Clematis the Snow Queen: photo of the variety

Like all clematis, the Snow Queen does not require much attention to herself. In order for the plant to grow well, bloom and develop, one should only make regular watering of the plant, correctly form the crown and create the necessary support for the loach. Also, if the climate is characterized by severe winters, you must first prepare the plant for frost. The rest of the rules of care consist in timely loosening, mulching, weeding and in protecting plants from possible pests and diseases.

Watering

Lianas are very fond of moisture, like all other types of clematis. But here it is important to control the level of moisture in the soil and avoid stagnant water so that the roots of the plant do not rot. Watering is considered optimal once every 7 days. Only if the summer is very hot and dry, you can change the watering regime, increasing its cleanliness up to three times a week. It is important to look at the condition of the soil. The ground should not be too damp.

Clematis The Snow Queen loves rare but abundant watering, so it is better to pour out the entire amount of liquid at once. Moisture should pass to the very roots of the plant, so it is better to dig in several plastic pipes around the clematis and water directly through them, if you make several holes in the pipe, then the watering will be drip, which means that it will be of better quality.

If the plant is young, then the amount of water should be about 10 liters per seedling. If the crop is already mature, then the amount of water should already be twice as much for one irrigation. During watering, it is important to ensure that moisture does not get on the leaves and stems of the plant. And if the summer is rainy and there is a large amount of precipitation, then it is better not to water clematis at all.

Do not forget to loosen the soil around the stems after each watering or after it has rained. You should also weed clematis. The resulting weeds, as well as the crust on the soil after watering, impedes the free passage of air to the root system, which can cause the roots to rot. As a prophylaxis for fungal diseases, it is better to periodically pour in the hall.

It will help to avoid frequent watering and the need to loosen the soil, as well as to reduce the amount of weeding, by organizing a sufficient layer of mulch where Clematis Snow Queen grows. Moss, peat and small tree bark are perfect mulch.

Feeding Clematis the Snow Queen

Once you have planted Clematis Snow Queen in summer and spring, you do not need to feed the plant, since the fertilizer was originally laid in the planting hole before planting the plant. The first feeding should be done in the fall so that the plant is properly prepared for winter.

All subsequent fertilizers must be applied according to the scheme. In the spring, fertilizers containing nitrogen are usually applied, which stimulate the active growth of green mass; in the summer, it is necessary to apply preparations containing potassium so that clematis blooms beautifully and luxuriantly. It will also help prolong the flowering period.

In the fall, fertilizers can be applied that will contain phosphorus as well as potassium to restore the plant's supply of nutrients for a more successful winter.

So, fertilizers must be applied approximately twice a month. It is better to apply fertilizers in the form of solutions. And feed clematis during watering or immediately after it, reducing the number of servings. When the plant needs to stimulate the growth of new stems and leaves, ammonium nitrate is used for these purposes, diluted in a proportion of 20 g per bucket of water. Promotes better stem growth and organic fertilizers. This can be a weak solution of chicken manure or mullein.

Important to rememberthat any water in which you will dilute fertilizers should not be cold. One adult plant will need about 10 liters of dissolved fertilizer.

While clematis of the Snow Queen variety has not bloomed yet, you can change the composition of fertilizers. Thus, you need to use either organic or mineral supplements. When clematis has formed buds, and the entire summer period, feeding can be stopped, leaving only the treatment with a weak manganese solution, which will be carried out about once a month. You can also treat plants with boric acid solution. In addition, in the summer, they are sprayed with urea, prepared at the rate of half a tablespoon of powder per 10 liters of water.

After clematis the Snow Queen has finished flowering for the second time, and this will be autumn, you can resume feeding again in order to restore the strength of the plant and prepare it for the winter period. You can use complex preparations here, for example, such as Autumn or Kemira autumn. Ash powder can also be added. Immediately before the winter months, fertilize clematis with potassium sulfate. While digging up the soil, granular superphosphate can be added, but very little is needed here.

Weeding and loosening

Clematis the Snow Queen: photo of the variety

It is imperative to loosen the Clematis Snow Queen, since it helps, firstly, oxygen to flow freely to the roots, and secondly, moisture will enter the inside faster. It is necessary to loosen with such tools that have small teeth, for example, a rake. It is not necessary to raise and change the soil layers too much, it will be enough just to shake the ground a little from above, so as not to harm the root system.

Weeds need to be removed regularly, as this will not only give the garden a more aesthetic appearance, but also save the plants from competitors. Weeds take up a lot of soil nutrients, moisture and sunlight, so clematis can bloom poorly, and it does not develop well. It is necessary to remove not only the upper part of the shoots, but also the roots of the weeds. The seeds should not be allowed to ripen on the weeds.

Support for clematis Snow Queen

Since the Snow Queen clematis are vines, it is imperative to construct various supports in order to preserve the decorative appearance of the plant. If you let its development take its course, then the view will already be completely different. All the vines will intertwine and the plant will die.

It is necessary to tie up the crop when the stems begin to grow. Here you can already give them the right direction. The gardener can turn on his imagination and make up such a support that he likes, since the loach dutifully repeats all its forms, covering it with a snow-white carpet of flowers.

You can make supports yourself, or you can buy ready-made ones in special stores. Most often, various arches, pyramids, fan-shaped structures and just a crate are used. The material of the supports can be any, but it is better to choose a more durable structure so that an adult overgrown plant does not disturb its construction.

You can use a metal mesh and make a support out of it, giving it the shape of a cone, cylinder, or other geometric shapes. You need to put a support on top of the bush in the spring and in the summer the plant will completely envelop it. For the garter, you need to choose the thickest, strongest stems.

Clematis pruning group Snow Queen and bush formation

What requires special attention is the Snow Queen clematis pruning procedure. It is needed not only for the plant to perform a decorative function, but also for good growth and flowering.

After you have planted this culture, you should immediately begin the formation procedure so that the seedling forms the root system as best as possible. When the plant wakes up after winter, the frozen, dry and damaged shoots should be removed.

Clematis are divided into several groups, according to which there are certain rules for pruning them. Clematis The Snow Queen belongs to the 2nd pruning group. The difference here is that the first flowers that appear in May-June ripen on last year's shoots.But those flowers that form on new shoots will bloom in the fall, so if you cut off the wrong shoots in the spring, then you can lose the whole flowering process altogether. When you have just planted a seedling, you should cut off all the stems at once, leaving only 30 cm shoots. This will allow the plant to root better and form more new stems. When the plant is already 2 years old, all subsequent pruning will be carried out according to certain rules.

The first pruning must be done when the first stage of clematis flowering ends. Old shoots are removed with the flowers remaining on them. This will allow the second flowering period to be very lush and colorful. Ignoring the first formation of the bush, you may not see the second flowering period, or the flowers will not be attractive. Then, when the second stage of flowering is over, it is necessary to prune again, leaving only the stems, one meter high from the surface of the earth. In this form, the plant will overwinter.

Since the Snow Queen clematis belongs to the 2nd group of clematis, here it will be necessary to do a very strong pruning once every five years before winter. It is important to note that after such pruning, you should not expect good flowering next summer, but it is required for lush flowering in the future and to maintain the health of the bush. This procedure is mandatory, as the stems can age and become completely unattractive. In addition, the number of branches becomes much less over time, and, therefore, the flowering itself will be worse.

Clematis the Snow Queen: photo of the variety

Preparing before winter

Clematis the Snow Queen is patient with cold weather and Russian winters, but it is still necessary to prepare plants for this difficult period, especially if in your region the temperature drops very low in winter. To do this, you need to carry out the last autumn pruning, as well as untie the shoots and manually remove all the remaining leaves that have not yet fallen off.

Then you should dig up the soil and apply the autumn fertilizers, which were mentioned above. The main function of the last feeding is to provide the roots with food and prepare them for winter. Also, the entire layer of mulch, weeds, leaves and all unnecessary debris are removed from the ground.

The middle of the bush must be sprinkled with ash, charcoal and sand. You can make a mixture. The height of such a hill should be at least 30 cm. The mixture is prepared at the rate of 10 liters of sand per 250 g of ash.

The remaining shoots should be carefully rolled up and placed on the ground, the branches should be covered with spruce branches on top, sawdust or other covering material can be used. If your region is characterized by very frosty winters, then you must also add another layer of cover with spunbond or something else. The film is not recommended for these purposes.

And also, whichever cover you use, you do not need to press it close to the ground. It is necessary to leave space for free circulation of air to create additional warmth for the roots to protect them from freezing and decay. In general, any young clematis needs additional shelter before the winter period, since the plant is still very weak and can freeze.

Clematis the Snow Queen: photo of the variety

Spring works

When the snow melts and spring comes, clematis of the Snow Queen variety should be opened very carefully from under the shelter, since return frosts are characteristic of the first months of spring. In addition, too bright sun rays also have a negative effect on the stems and buds of the plant. Only when the weather is already steadily warm, and at night the air temperature does not drop below zero, you can open Clematis Snow Queen. It is necessary to remove the shelter on a cloudy day in the absence of a bright sun. The material is removed, and the embankment around the bush is also cleared. Then you should inspect the plant for the presence of dried and dead cells, and if they are found, the best such shoots should be cut off immediately. The soil must be thoroughly loosened again and fertilizers containing nitrogen must be applied at the rate of 40 g per bucket of water.

The temperature of the solution should be warm. If acidic soil prevails on the site, then lime or its solution must be added again, at the rate of 200 g of lime per bucket of water. A bush that wakes up after winter must be watered once every 2 weeks, gradually increasing the number of waterings.

Conclusion

Clematis The Snow Queen is a very beautiful variety of clematis that every gardener can grow. Paying enough attention to clematis of the Snow Queen variety and observing the rules for growing a plant, you can refine any structure and give your site a delightful look.

Clematis the Snow Queen: video about the variety