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Clematis Trials at the Chicago Botanic Garden

comments (2) May 14th, 2012 in blogs
DanielleGardenGirl Danielle Sherry, contributor
9 users recommend
Clematis Starburst™
Clematis Blue Angel™
Clematis Pink Champagne™
Clematis Starburst™ Click the image to enlarge.

Clematis 'Starburst'™

Photo: Richard Hawke
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Richard Hawke is plant evaluation manager at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where he conducts long-term trials on dozens of ornamental plants. For the past 22 years, he has evaluated more than 200 clematis varieties, then tabulated the results of those available today for purchase by gardeners. 

You'll find Richard's top picks and why he likes them in "Big Blooming Clematis" in the July/August 2012 issue of Fine Gardening (#146). We couldn't print the full results of his study in the magazine, but we can offer many of them here as a download.

  Downloads:
Clematis trial results (Excel file)
Clematis trial results (pdf file)

More info:
See clematis varieties in Fine Gardening's Plant Guide
The chart includes more than 100 clematis varieties. In addition to Richard's rating (on a scale from one to four), each variety is characterized by flower color, size, and coverage; bloom period; plant height; and group (an important designation for pruning). If you're in the market for a new clematis or if you want to get an expert opinion on a plant you already have, download the chart and take a look.

Clematis 'Princess Diana'   Clematis 'Viola'
Clematis 'Princess Diana'   Clematis 'Viola'

posted in: clematis
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Comments (2)

Anw2g writes: mimiphown Beats By Dre
enlimandeme Monster Beats
enlimandeme
Posted: 3:06 pm on March 11th
arboretum writes: This very professional test program and its results are JUST the kind of article I would love to see more of in FG. How tremendously helpful to so many of us.Hoorah and deep appreciation to Richard Hawke and the FG editor who saw the need for this article in FG!

best,
mindy arbo
www.cottonarboretum.com/ Posted: 11:07 pm on June 3rd
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