Clematis Pink Fantasy: description and characteristics of the variety, cultivation, pruning

In the middle lane, large, pink flowers of clematis Pink Fantasy bloom in July. In open ground, vines are planted in groups next to a vertical support. The plant is suitable for container growing. The variety was bred in Canada, so it easily withstands Russian winters.

Features and morphological description of Clematis Pink Fantasy

According to the type of pruning, all types of clematis are divided into 3 groups. The variety Pink Fantasy belongs to the 3rd group. Flowers are formed on young shoots of the current year, in the autumn the aerial part of the bush is cut off. With the advent of spring, new shoots grow. By the end of the season, their length reaches 2-2.5 m.

They cling to the support themselves. Liana is covered with light green trifoliate leaves sitting on long petioles. During flowering, which lasts from July to late September, compact bushes are completely strewn with large, pale pink flowers.

The center of the basket is purple, the stamens are red. The color of the petals is not uniform. The central part is dark pink, the edges are pale pink. Their surface is corrugated, the tips are lowered down. The flowers are large. Their diameter is 10-15 cm. The number of petals in the basket is 5-7 pcs.

Fantasy frost-resistant variety, it is grown in the regions of the 4th winter hardiness zone. With proper preparation for winter, the vine does not freeze at -34 ° C. The root system of Pink Fantasy clematis is superficial, so the trunk circle is mulched for the winter.

Main advantages and disadvantages

The plant is winter-hardy. For flower growers in the Moscow region and Central Russia, this is a big plus. Their gardens and dachas are in the 4th winter hardiness zone. Clematis Pink Fantasy withstands peak winter temperatures in these regions.

Longevity is another plus. In one place, the vine grows for 20-40 years. Other advantages of an ornamental garden plant:

abundant, long-blooming;
requires minimal maintenance;
rarely affected by pests and diseases;
breeds easily.

Rules for growing a plant

Clematis grows in one place for many years. The bush increases in size over the years. This must be taken into account when landing. Each region has its own landing time. In the south, seedlings are planted in October, in Central Russia - in September or in spring in April.

Selection and purchase of seedlings

You need to buy seedlings in local nurseries. They are adapted to the weather conditions of the region. Clematis grown in containers take root better. When choosing, you need to check their roots. Sellers often cheat. The dug seedling is placed in the container.

In a seedling with an open root system, the length and number of roots are estimated. It is optimal if there are 3 or more of them, and the length is at least 10 cm. The shoots are inspected for damage, swelling, and the presence of buds. Seedlings with mechanical damage are rejected.

Choosing a landing site

Liana loves the sun, doesn't like drafts. These features are taken into account when landing. In order for Clematis Pink Fantasy to bloom long and profusely, seedlings are planted in the southern, southwestern, southeastern parts of the garden.

In the south, the liana is planted in openwork penumbra, because the leaves burn from the heat. Clematis does not like excessive dampness, so if the roof is not equipped with gutters, seedlings should not be planted around the perimeter of the house. Rainwater will drain on them.

Soil preparation

Pink Fantasy grows well in sandy, loamy soil. Humus and mineral fertilizers are added to it during planting. They increase fertility. The structure of loamy soil is improved with sand, well-rotted sawdust, peat and clay are added to light soils.

Acidity is lowered with dolomite flour.

Introduce into the soil for filling the pit:

500g ash;
200 g fertilizer "Kemira Universal";
200 g simple superphosphate;
2 buckets of humus.

Fitting technology

Clematis Pink Fantasy is grown outdoors and in pots. Garden planting algorithm:

dig a hole measuring 6070 cm;
fill the bottom with crushed stone (10 cm),
pour half of the soil mixture;
place the seedling on a mound;
fill the hole with the remnants of fertile soil, deepening the root collar.

The seedling is being watered. The hole is mulched. Shoots are shortened by 2 buds.

Specific flower care

Caring for clematis is not difficult, but has its own characteristics. Helpful tips for a beginner grower:

direct sunlight for at least 5 hours a day is a necessary condition for abundant and long flowering;
watering under the root is plentiful, but not frequent, with separated water in the morning or evening.

Clematis Pink Fantasy care is not limited to one watering. Throughout life, the liana needs top dressing, it needs to be properly prepared for the winter, properly cut.

Feeding

Clematis fertilizers are on sale. They contain all the elements that Pink Fantasy needs during the growing season, flowering:

"Leafdrip";
Megafol;
Clean slate for climbing plants.

In the table, the schedule of fertilizing with standard fertilizers.

Fertilizer for clematisFor 10 l 1 tbsp. l.

p/n	Period	Fertilizer	Consumption	Application method
1	April, beginning of May	Ammonium nitrate	20 g for 10 liters of water	10 liters is enough to feed 1 adult plant, 5 young plants
2	10 days after the first one	Organic nitrogen fertilizer (mullein infusion) or mineral (urea)	Mullein is diluted with water 1:10, urea is taken 10 g per 10 l
3	2 weeks after the second one	Kemira station wagon	For 1 liter take 1 tbsp. l.
4	When the first buds appear	Phosphorus-potassium no chlorine	As directed
5	After flowering

During the growing season and flowering, the Pink Fantasy creeper is sprayed with a solution of boric acid (2 g) and potassium permanganate (2 g). Foliar feeding prevents disease.

Mulching and loosening

Roots in the heat suffer from overheating. So that the soil heats up less, the holes in the south are sprinkled with sawdust. In regions where the heat is less strong, the soil under Pink Fantasy bushes is mulched with peat or humus.

Clematis roots need to breathe, so a day after rain, planned watering, the soil is loosened. At the same time, weeds are pulled out and cut down.

Tie up

Liana clings to the support herself, so a garter is not needed. Clematis is planted next to garden structures (an arbor, pergola), a fence, or a trellis, a wooden lattice, and a plastic mesh are installed next to it. During the season, the shoots braid the support, envelop it with a cloud of large flowers.

Cutting and shaping

All types of clematis require pruning. Pink Fantasy is no exception. Cardinal pruning is carried out in the fall. Liana belongs to the 3rd pruning group, so all shoots that have grown over the summer are cut at a height of 10 cm from the ground. In summer, the tops of faded branches are cut off.

Preparing for winter season

The roots and center of the Pink Fantasy bush are covered for the winter. The work is not difficult because the stems are cut low. Mulch the liana with dry earth, peat. One adult bush takes 3-4 buckets. Preparations are made in November, when the top layer of the earth freezes.

Protection from diseases and pests

With proper care, Clematis Pink Fantasy does not get sick. Pests and symptoms of the disease appear on the bushes if the basic rules of agricultural technology are violated. Pests that have occupied the bush, oppress the plant. From slugs, caterpillars, spider mites, the liana is sprayed with an insecticide:

"Iskra";
metaldehyde.

When there are few insects, ash, tobacco dust helps. They powder the leaves and shoots. To prevent a fungal infection, plantings in spring and autumn are treated with "Fundazol".

Reproduction

Pink Fantasy is propagated vegetatively. This perennial is not grown from seed. Liana grown from seeds does not retain varietal characteristics.

Cutting

Shoots for propagation are harvested in late May - early June. Cuttings are cut from them with a sharp knife. On each leave 2-3 internodes. The bottom leaves are cut off, the top ones are shortened by 50%.

Rooted in a mixture of leaf earth, vermiculite, sand, taken in a ratio of 2:1:1. Use any containers with a volume of 0.5 liters. The soil mixture is moistened, each cutting is buried in the ground by 2 cm. The roots appear by the end of the 3rd week. Optimal conditions:

temperature 25 °C;
air humidity is high.

In the spring of next year or at the end of this summer, seedlings are transplanted into the garden.

Layers

Flower growers love to propagate varietal clematis by layering. Choose he althy, strong shoots, bend them to the ground. A mound is poured at the point of contact with the ground. To speed up the appearance of roots, the soil is regularly watered. Annual cuttings are ready for transplanting.

Dividing the bush

Old Pink Fantasy bushes are losing their decorative effect. The problem is solved with anti-aging pruning. It is carried out no more than 1 time in 5 years. The bush is dug up. They inspect the rhizome, with a pruner, with a shovel, divide it into several parts. They make sure that there are at least 2-3 buds on each division.

Landscape examples

Containers with clematis Pink Fantasy put on balconies, terraces. In the garden, the liana is planted next to the conifers. During flowering, they enliven a monotonous composition. The landscape is decorated with garden structures (arches, pergolas, trellises) entwined with flowering perennials.

Classic composition Pink Fantasy and climbing roses look great against the backdrop of an emerald lawn, ennoble the recreation area. Large-flowered liana is planted next to other climbing plants. Good companions are girlish, Amur grapes.