Clematis Ernest Markham: variety description and pruning group, growing rules

Clematis are widespread all over the world, the variety of colors and shapes of their flowers does not leave any gardener indifferent. Large-flowered clematis with bright and abundant flowering look especially impressive, to which Ernest Markham belongs. But by itself, it will not grow successfully, you need to know the features of the rules of care and follow agricultural practices.

Description and characteristics of clematis Ernest Markham

This is an English variety of clematis with large flowers up to 15 centimeters in diameter. They are slightly velvety, rich, lilac-reddish, sometimes bright red in color with a light core.The variety blooms late, on young shoots of the current year - from July, but blooms for quite a long time, until October. The lashes grow to a height of 3-4 meters. Applicant - breeder Ernest Markham.

Advantages and disadvantages of a flower

This hybrid large-flowered clematis is well-deservedly popular among gardeners, but in addition to obvious advantages, it also has some disadvantages.

Strengths:

• Ernest Markham can grow in full sun. Flowers do not get burned and do not lose their light intensity;
• bright, spectacular, abundant flowering of clematis;
• adult clematis has good growth strength, quickly builds up numerous whips;
• Ernest Markham is able to climb supports, fences, bars;
• clematis suitable for growing in large containers or pots;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• good frost resistance, down to -35 C degrees (USDA zone 4-9) and drought resistance.

Weaknesses:

• late flowering period, in the northern regions, with early frost, the flowering period will be short;
• young plants may be stunted and need nitrogen boost.

Crop planting rules

To get a luxurious, beautifully flowering bush in the future, the gardener must correctly select and plant clematis seedlings.

Pick up time

Clematis with open root begin to be planted as early as possible - when the soil warms up a little. In the south - from the beginning of April, in other regions it is possible to plant from May.The main thing is not to plant clematis with ACS in the heat, but if there is no choice, then after planting it is necessary to mulch the soil and shade for the first time. When buying seedlings with ZKS (in pots), they can be planted throughout the season, but when planting in the summer, they must first be shaded during the day.

Selecting a site and preparing the soil for planting

Ernest Markham shows the greatest decorative effect when grown in sunny places. But in the southern regions it does not lose its effectiveness even when placed in partial shade. Before disembarking, it is necessary to prepare a landing hole, 40-50 centimeters deep and wide.

It is filled with a planting substrate, which consists of 3 parts of light, non-acidic peat, 1 part of well-rotted manure and 1 part of coarse sand or agroperlite. You can add a couple of spoons of wood ash and finely chopped sphagnum moss.

Selection and purchase of planting material

Seedlings with an open root system should have developed, 15-20 cm roots and several pronounced growth buds. The roots should not be diseased, rotten, with a rotten smell, have a yellowish brown or orange color. When choosing seedlings in pots, they should have at least a few young, strong shoots. Preferably if the roots are already peeking through the drainage holes.

Boarding process

Seedlings in pots (with a closed root system) will be placed at the bottom of the planting hole, with a depth of up to 10 centimeters, sprinkled with soil, rammed and spilled with plenty of water. When planting seedlings with an open root, a substrate is poured into the bottom of the hole with a mound, the roots are straightened on it. They are also buried up to 10 centimeters, sprinkled with earth, slightly compacted and watered well.

Care instructions

Ernest Markham needs to be properly trimmed, fertilized and watered to maintain high decorative qualities and overall he alth.

Irrigation

The frequency of watering depends on the type of soil, the frequency of precipitation and the region of cultivation. Mulching the soil allows you to moisten less often. It is important to remember that clematis will kill stagnant water faster than drought.

But for the successful development of the plant, it is necessary to carry out abundant watering several times a week, especially in the hot season.

Feeding

Profuse flowering, large-flowered varieties need a complete, balanced diet, depending on the stage of development. At the beginning of the growing season, more nitrogen is needed, during flowering, the consumption of phosphorus and potassium increases.

Cutting

Ernest Markham refers to clematis, which are characterized by III pruning group (full). In autumn, all the lashes on the vine are cut to zero, flush with the soil level, or only a couple of knots are left. In the spring, new shoots grow, on which flowers form.

Mulching and loosening

Clematis prefer their root zone to be protected from direct sunlight. Beautifully and effectively, you can plant "at the feet" of his ground cover plants with a shallow root or flowers. Marigolds are perfect, in addition to protecting clematis from nematode damage.

The correct agricultural approach would be to mulch the root zone with a thick (up to 20 centimeters) layer of organic matter. If you use green manure, in particular mustard, in addition to enriching the soil, this will also serve as a prevention of many diseases.

If there is mulch, there is no need to loosen the root zone. With bare soil, loosening is necessary up to 3-4 times a month, depending on the type of soil (on heavy soils more often) and the frequency of watering. In addition, loosening not only facilitates the access of oxygen to the roots of clematis, but also helps in the fight against weeds.

Preparing for winter

Preparing clematis Ernest Markham for winter consists in performing simple, consistent tasks:

• sanitary cleaning and pruning of leaves and shoots;
• prophylactic spraying with a copper-containing fungicide, such as copper sulfate;
• removing from the trellis to a pre-prepared flooring (needles, agrofibre, burlap);
• Shelter with warm, breathable material (e.g. agrofibre).

Diseases and pests

Clematis are susceptible to many diseases and pests. Ernest Markham is resistant to the main ones, but 2-3 preventive sprays with chemicals are necessary to maintain he alth. Moreover, insecticides and fungicides can be used in the same tank mixture, provided they are compatible.For example, Ridomil Gold and Aktara. It will not be superfluous to add an adhesive to prevent the drug from running off the leaves.

Reproduction methods

The gardeners who like the variety can propagate themselves, including Ernest Markham, using cuttings, dividing the bush or dropping layers.

Layers

A good way to propagate clematis is to dig an almost stiff lash in the groove next to the bush. It is pinned with staples, for fixing at a depth of up to 10 centimeters, and sprinkled with earth. After abundantly spilled with water and mulched on top. It is important to monitor the regular moistening of the prikop; after 2-3 months, a rooted clematis seedling is formed on each node of the whip.

Shanks

Clematis is well propagated by semi-lignified cuttings.The best time for cuttings is spring or early summer. It is best to cut them before flowering. A piece of the stem is cut off, preferably from the middle part of the vine, with one or two nodes; the bottom edge is cut at an angle, while the top edge remains straight.

After dusting the lower cut with a stimulant for rooting, it is placed in a greenhouse or greenhouse, where it is regularly sprayed until the roots grow.

Dividing the bush

Clematis, starting from the age of 3, are propagated by dividing the bush. It is dug up and carefully divided into parts of the stem with a piece of root. There are few seedlings, but they are quite powerful.

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