Description of Blue Angel variety clematis, planting and care rules
Clematis is used to decorate hedges, walls of houses, terraces or gazebos. These liana-type shrubs easily cling to the support and quickly grow on the surface. Those who grow clematis in their garden choose varieties that are zoned for a specific climatic zone. The frost resistance of the Clematis variety, which is called the Blue Angel, allows it to be grown in any region of the country.
Description and characteristics of the Blue Angel clematis variety
The Blue angel cultivar was developed by Polish breeders in the second half of 1989. He was named Blue Angel for the sky-blue hue of the buds.
On the liana, reaching 4 meters, large buds with 6 petals bloom. The diameter of the inflorescences is 14-15 centimeters. The variety belongs to the late-flowering varieties, the inflorescences are tied exclusively on the shoots formed in the current season.
Features of the Blue Angel variety:
- the presence of bright yellow stamens that stand out against the blue background of the petals;
- complete lack of aroma;
- resistance to low temperatures - the shrub can withstand indicators below -30 degrees;
- stable and long flowering from July to October;
- unpretentious care;
- the ability to quickly adapt to new conditions.
Trimming group
Experts divide clematis varieties into several pruning groups. The classification is based on the characteristic of the appearance of spring buds.
Blue Angel - Clematis 3 trimming groups. This means that the bush needs a complete autumn pruning of the bushes after flowering. This technique has several advantages:
- promotes easy care during the pre-winter period;
- provides abundant and stable flowering in the next season;
- allows you to reduce the territory of the area allocated for culture, due to the complete destruction of the lashes.
Clematis of 3 pruning groups are able to bloom only on current shoots - this feature is in demand among flower growers who are forced to grow flower crops taking into account early frosts in the fall and the late onset of heat in summer.
The main positive and negative aspects of the variety
The advantages of the Blue Angel variety, in addition to prolonged and abundant flowering, relate to quality characteristics that facilitate care:
- frost resistance;
- drought resistance;
- immunity to fungal diseases;
- flowering stability;
- the ability to quickly build up green mass in the spring.
Gardeners consider the disadvantages of the variety to be a soft root system, which is sensitive to overflows. Excessive soil moisture leads to the development of rotting processes, which affect the general condition of the plant.
The subtleties of growing
The unpretentiousness of Clematis Blue Angel does not exclude compliance with the rules of care. When planning plantings, it is necessary to take into account the requirement of clematis for the placement, as well as establish a suitable watering schedule.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Clematis Blue Angel grows in sunny areas, but needs a little shading. The best option is to plant the variety along hedges, terraces, near the walls of houses. Thanks to this neighborhood, a balance is achieved between the presence of light and shadow for the culture.
For the full growth of this variety, clematis needs additional support.
Vines tenaciously and quickly twine around the stands and grow not only upward, but also in breadth.
Seedling preparation
For spring planting, seedlings are suitable, on the stems of which at least one new shoot has appeared. To enhance the ability to form roots, clematis is immersed in a solution before planting with the addition of a root growth stimulator.
Reference! A plant acquired in a nursery that has a closed root system, after planting, takes root much faster than those with an open root system.
Landing rules
Saplings are planted at a distance of no more than 1 meter from each other. A pit 60 centimeters deep is prepared for planting. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the pit, then sprinkled with soil. After installing the seedling, a support is added, then the hole is covered with soil.
The soil is not poured to the edge, since after planting for clematis, mandatory mulching is provided, the layer of which should be from 5 to 8 centimeters.
How to care for your culture
After planting, it is necessary to provide for a schedule of watering, loosening and feeding the crop, then clematis will quickly gain green mass and please with abundant flowering by the second half of July.
Watering and fertilizing
Water the clematis as needed. If the air temperature rises, then the number of irrigations is doubled. At the same time, make sure that the root system is not waterlogged.
During the adaptation period, clematis is not fed, then fertilizers are applied according to the schedule:
- when growing greens, nitrogenous dressings are added;
- when budding, they are fed with potassium;
- after flowering, mineral combined mixtures are added.
Mulching and loosening
Clematis needs full mulching. For this, crushed bark is introduced into a circle around the main stem. Mulch helps to retain moisture and reduce watering. Mulch protects the root system during the hot period when the vine is focused on shoots and budding.
Loosening is an important step in caring for clematis of this variety. The supply of additional oxygen contributes to more intensive root growth.
Pruning
Full autumn pruning is a must for growing. After flowering, the vines are cut to a residue of 20 centimeters above the soil level. Scourges with faded buds are burned. Full pruning contributes to a more successful wintering of the bush, and also additionally rejuvenates the plant. After full pruning in the fall, clematis blooms again on new stems and shoots.
Preparing for winter
To minimize the risk of freezing of the root system, clematis is mulched with straw before wintering. The straw layer should not be less than 10 centimeters. Experienced gardeners recommend covering the bush left after pruning for the first winter.For shelter, burlap or non-synthetic fabric is used.
Disease and pest control
Clematis are often attacked by rodents. Small pests gnaw the roots of the plant in cold and hungry periods, when the bushes are already beginning to enter the period of winter dormancy. In order to prevent an attack, the owners often use special traps that are set near the plantings. Another method of repairing damage is to establish a mesh around the clematis.
The Blue Angel variety is disease resistant. Fungal infections threaten plantings only if watering rules are not followed. Excessive moisture in the roots makes the system vulnerable, it becomes infected with gray mold and gradually dies off.
Flower reproduction methods
The Blue Angel variety is usually propagated by dividing the bush. Planting with seeds or by dropping babies does not give full shoots. The division of the bush is carried out in spring or autumn, separating a full-fledged adult plant from the maternal overgrown stem. Then they plant it according to all the rules for planting clematis and leave it for adaptation. After a period of adaptation, clematis is completely pruned in the fall in order to observe the flowering of a new adult shrub the next year.
Reference! The germination rate of clematis seeds is 40 percent.
Examples in landscape design
Landscape designers of homestead and summer cottages love clematis for its unpretentiousness, versatility and ability to replace several types of flower crops. Traditionally, the Blue Angel variety is planted for:
- arch decoration;
- entwining a terrace or gazebo in the back of the garden;
- masking hedges around the entire perimeter;
- porch decoration.
The Blue Angel variety is also used for planting on a solo support that fits well with the surrounding design. The condition for such a technique is the use of a support, in height exceeding the maximum height of the vine.
The reception of a simultaneous combination of several varieties is widespread. Different budding times allow you to create the effect of cascading flowering throughout the site.
The Blue Angel variety is combined with climbing roses, honeysuckle, lemongrass. It is picturesque surrounded by coniferous trees. Designers recommend using combinations with gray or blue spruce.
