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Highfield Farm Garden (Monmouthshire, Wales)

I am lagging behind with my England tour posts, not that there is an urgency, but I know if I don't get them recorded and organized, my feeble memory will begin to muddle them. The three previous gardens ( Hidcote , Kiftsgate , and Bourton House ) were visited on the first day of the tour.   Day 2 took us across the border into Wales, where we saw two gardens.  Our group (about 25 people) rode in a comfortable bus, and everyone kept saying that it was much smaller than the buses they normally used. I thought it was fine, and most of the time, I had my aisle to myself. Unlike the Japan trip, where our mode of transportation changed daily, we kept the same bus during the entire trip. I soon learned that it was best for my mental health to sit on the right side of the bus. The country lanes of England are indeed as narrow as they appear on television, and the ever-present hedgerows grow right next to the roadside. Watching these hedgerows fly by within an inch of your window...
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Pruning Clematis



Is there a plant more confusing to prune than clematis? Not only are there numerous types but they are all pruned differently. Fortunately, there is a helpful resource and it is Linda Beutler's wonderful book "The Plant Lover's Guide to Clematis". I have referred to this book so many times that it is literally coming apart. In the book, the author lists all the cultivars (well, not all but close) and tells how to prune each one.

Our largest clematis are on the front gate arch and they were spectacular this year, blooming for a record amount of time (I am crediting the mild temperatures). On one side is 'Jackmanii Superba' and 'Madame Julia Correvon' is on the other.

In the photo above, 'Madame Julia Correvon' is on the right. It is not as strong a grower as 'Jackmanii Superba' but I expect it to catch up next year. After blooming, it is recommended that it be cut back half-way and you will have more blooms from autumn to frost.

Of the two, 'Jackmanii Superba' seems to be the most vigorous grower. In the book, 'Jackmannii' is listed and the instructions say to just cut it back in late winter or early spring. No mention is made of cutting it back half-way after bloom, so I just cut off the spent blooms.

The end result is a much neater archway. I fertilized with Jack's Blossom Booster and await more blooms later in the season!




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Lisa at GreenbowJuly 21, 2020 at 4:20 AM

    My Jack was cut back during winter and it didn't bloom as profusely as it usually does. However we are in a slight drought so that probably affected it. I am with you regarding know when and how to trim clematis. I might have to invest in this book.

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