Clematis Arabella: variety description, planting and care, pruning group, reproduction

Clematis Arabella variety is an achievement of British breeders, it has gained wide popularity in the CIS countries. The flower has wondrous beauty, creates a magical atmosphere in the garden. The variety does not require painstaking care, even an inexperienced gardener can handle its cultivation. Before planting, you should find out all the features of the plant.

Description and characteristics

The flower belongs to the subspecies Integrifolia, which in Latin means - "whole-leaved". In the Arabella variety, the leaves are not dissected, like those of its counterparts, they are covered with pubescence.Bushes are able to form a regular, raised semi-ball from densely overgrown shoots. They cannot cling to the support, they must be constantly tied up. For this reason, clematis is often allowed to grow as a groundcover. The length of the shoots is about 1.5-2 meters, sometimes they reach 3 meters.

Clematis blooms on the branches of the current year, belongs to the 3rd pruning group. When the buds start to open, they become a rich, blue-lilac color. As the pollen progresses, the color fades, more like a lavender shade. Petals of an elongated shape, located separately from each other, 4-8 pieces each. The middle with cream-colored stamens, when opened, become yellowish. Large inflorescences, 7.5-9 cm.

Pollen starts early, depending on the growing area, it falls in June. Clematis blooms for a long time, until September or October, when the weather is warm. After showers, the bushes lose their attractiveness for a while.When new branches with buds appear from the buds, the pollen continues again in all its glory. The plant withstands cold down to -30 degrees, short-term drought.

Advantages and disadvantages of clematis

Clematis variety Arabella has many positive qualities, but there are also a number of disadvantages.

Resistance to frost, droughtPoor shade toleranceLong flowering period Resistance to diseases, bugs Unusual shape, shade of flowers

Pros	Cons

Details of planting flowers

Clematis Arabella should be planted in an appropriate place, respecting the timing, maintaining soil requirements. It is important to adhere to agrotechnical rules when planting.

Choosing a place and time for landing

All clematis prefer to grow in a sunlit area, protected from the winds, but landing in partial shade is also allowed. Due to the characteristics of their growth, Arabella can also be planted in a pot, basket or grown as an ampelous flower. Clematis is widely planted in the garden, but the roots should receive good drainage. It is possible to carry out planting work from April to October, especially if the seedlings have a closed rhizome. Rooted petioles are best grown in a separate container. In the first month, the plant needs partial shade, abundant watering.

Selection of seedlings

Seedlings should be bought from trusted sellers, they must be strong, without flaws. It is recommended to take petioles with sleeping he althy buds, they take root better. They are stored in the refrigerator until disembarkation. They also buy seedlings with a closed rhizome in containers with green stems 1-2 weeks before planting.

When choosing seedlings with open roots, pay attention to the presence of 2-3 live buds or 5 rhizome shoots.

What the land should be like

Clematis Arabella prefers to grow on fertile loam. You can plant it in loose, breathable soil with a neutral reaction. Before planting, the soil is loosened, leveled. It is recommended to position the support immediately.

Algorithm of landing operations

When planting clematis in open soil, humus, wood ash and superphosphate are added to the wells. They should be 20 cm deep. The root neck of the seedlings is deepened by 5 cm. A 20 cm drainage layer of crushed stone or expanded clay is laid out at the bottom of the hole.

Care instructions

Caring for clematis is not difficult, more problems are caused by its regular need for a garter to a support. It is also necessary to periodically water the plant, fertilize, mulch, cut, treat against bugs and diseases.

Feeding and watering

Clematis Arabella prefers frequent watering, water is applied once a week. It is important not to flood the rhizomes during irrigation. Fertilize the crop from the 2nd year after planting, 3-5 times during the growing season. During active growth, nitrogen is added, and during budding, seedlings are fed with complex mineral compounds. After pollen, potassium and phosphorus are added.

Mulching

Clematis rhizomes do not like heat, dryness. To retain moisture and heat, after planting, the root circle is abundantly mulched with compost, straw and humus. In the future, it is necessary to update the layer once every two months.

Circumcision

The variety belongs to the 3rd pruning group, they form the plant thoroughly. After the procedure, only small ones should remain from the stems - 15-20 cm long stumps with 2 buds. The event is held in November, after the leaves fall.

Wintering

A variety of clematis can withstand frost, but it is advisable to sprinkle the shoots with organic matter.

For greater protection, cover the plant with any non-woven fabric like burlap.

Pest and disease control

Clematis Arabella is practically not exposed to invasions of insects, diseases, with proper care. As a preventive measure, it can be treated with Fitosporin solution, and Fitoverm bioinsecticide is effective against beetles.

Reproduction methods

The culture is propagated by the vegetative method - cuttings, layering, dividing the bush.

1. Cuttings are an easy, affordable method of propagating clematis. The only negative is that the petioles take root slowly, tightly.
2. Propagation by layering involves separating the daughter plant from the parent bush before pruning, at the end of October. This option is the most optimal.
3. Dividing a bush is also considered an affordable way, but it does not make it possible to get a lot of seedlings at once.

Professional gardeners resort to clematis grafting, but this method is not suitable for beginners.

Using Arabella in garden decor

Clematis Arabella, due to its gorgeous flowering, can be used as a ground cover. It is planted in flowerbeds, flower beds, or for tamping rose bushes. When decorating a summer house, the entire length of the plants is used, they are grown on supports. Clematis are harmoniously combined with perennials with a short pollen period, coniferous shrubs. Flowers are often used to decorate balconies and attics.

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