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Clematis (Group 3) (Clematis)
Color Name: Polish Spirit
Polish Spirit is a heavy bloomer with rich, velvety purple flowers over 3" across from midsummer into autumn! Works well in a container, windowbox or climbing up a light-colored wall. Very nice plant and easy to grow; one of our best picks for a first clematis. An award winner!
Group 3 Clematis - Late flowering. Produces blooms on new wood. Old wood from the previous year dies away.
Growing Tips: PLANTING & CARING FOR CLEMATIS
Location: Clematis require an area that will have at least 6 hours or more of direct sunlight. The plant, depending on the variety, will grow upright six to twelve feet. However, clematis can only grow as tall as the trellis arbor or support that you have given it. For example, if your trellis is eight feet tall and the clematis you choose grows twelve feet, it would simply hang over and grow down the other side.
Clematis roots need shade to prevent the roots from drying out. Mulching the base of the plant not only helps to keep the weeds down but more importantly will keep the moisture in, especially in a hot dry summer.
Soil Preparation: Clematis need a moist, well-drained soil. Prepare your hole at least one foot deep and mix the soil with 50% peat moss or well-rotted manure. Backfill the hole with the amended soil and plant your clematis so the top of the root ball is just below ground level covering the first set of eyes. The plant should be mulched and kept moist, not wet, especially during the first growing season. Fertilize every four weeks during the growing season with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer.
Support: The main stem of the clematis must have a firm support, otherwise wind damage may occur. As the newly planted clematis produces new growth, it should be carefully trained and tied into position.
PRUNING: The first year: All newly planted clematis should be pruned down to at least twelve inches the first April-May after planting. This is very important, and you will be rewarded with a more bushy, compact plant, full of flowers. If no pruning is done, the plant will still grow and flower, but you will not enjoy the same display you would if pruning was done properly.
This group of clematis (group 3) bears their flowers on new growth each year and, in most cases, each stem produces several flowers. The old or previous season's growth dies away naturally each winter. Therefore, all old growth must be removed to allow the current season's stems room to grow, giving the plant a fresh start each year.
Prune this group in late April or early May depending on weather conditions. Pruning consists of removing all old top growth down to where the strong new leaf axil buds appear just above the base of the previous season's stems.
Flower Color: Purple shades / Foliage Color: Green shades
Height: 10-12 Feet / Spread: Vining Feet
| Hardy in Zone: | 4 | | Blooms: | June, July, August | | Foliage Season: | Summer | | Exposure: |
Full Sun | 
Partial Shade |
| | Soil Moisture Needs: |
Moderate |
| | Growth Rate: | Medium |
| Characteristics: |
Cut Flower or Foliage | 
Fragrant | 
Container | 
Trellis or Wall | 
Extended Bloomer |
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| | Attracts: |
Butterflies | 
Hummingbirds |
| | Critter Resistance: |
Deer | 
Rabbit |
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