Clematis May Darling

Like all clematis, clematis Mai Darling is a very beautiful plant, originally from Poland. The variety differs in very beautiful, double and semi-double inflorescences, which have a delicate, pleasant lilac shade. If the necessary conditions of care are met, then the culture blooms in early summer and early autumn.

Clematis May Darling: variety description and characteristics

Clematis May Darling: photos

Clematis Mai Darling has large flowers that can reach 20 cm in diameter. The color of the petals is not entirely even, there are both light and pink stripes, however, in general, the impression of a purple flower is created. At the beginning or middle of summer, the liana is covered with very beautiful buds that have double inflorescences. If the clematis of this variety is looked after correctly, then flowering is repeated in the fall, but here the buds will not be so double, and maybe even simple.
The color of the petals is perfectly combined with the rich green shade of the leaves. The shape of the petals of clematis My Darling is similar to an elongated oval with pointed edges. Liana reaches 2 m in height, therefore, like any loach, Clematis My Darling requires good support.

Clematis May Darling: planting and care

Clematis May Darling: photos

The described plant is recommended for growing, both outdoors, and you can grow it in flowerpots and special containers. The place where Clematis Mai Darling will grow should be well lit by the sun, but out of direct sunlight during the afternoon. The best option would be partial shade. The soil should be fertile, rich in nutrients. Clematis May Darling feels bad on acidic soil, it is better that the soil is neutral. The plant loves moisture very much, but it is strictly forbidden to overmoisten the soil, and stagnation of water will also negatively affect. To avoid this, drainage is a prerequisite for planting.

Clematis Mai Darling has good winter resistance. The prepared planting material must be stored in a room where the air temperature will not be higher than 2 degrees and below 0 degrees. The time for planting is chosen where there is no risk of recurrent frosts.

Clematis May Darling is planted as follows:

• Before planting, it is necessary to soak the earthen lump. To do this, the plant can be placed in water for 20 minutes. Next, you need to prepare the landing pit. Its dimensions will be about half a meter in all directions. At the bottom, it is imperative to lay out a drainage layer, which will be at least 10 cm. Chipped brick or crushed stone is perfect as drainage. Together with the earth, compost must be added to the planting pit, rotted manure can be.
• The seedling is planted, deepening the root collar by about 10 cm.If you plant several crops, then a distance of about half a meter should be observed. To prevent the roots from overheating, it is necessary to create a shadow. Better to plant a row of annuals in front of the bush. It would be ideal to cover the ground around the plant with pieces of bark.
• Clematis is also responsive to regular feeding.
  When the snow has melted, it is necessary to add a solution of urea to the ground, prepared at the rate of 20 g per 10 liters of water.
• In the summer season, the plants must be fed with manure; preparations containing phosphorus and potassium are referred to as autumn fertilizers. In order to prevent clematis from freezing in the cold season, it should be spud about 15 cm.The stems are then freed from the support structure, folded gently and placed on spruce branches or a cushion of dry leaves. Top can be covered with the same layer of about 30 cm.
• When winter is over, and the flower gradually wakes up, the covering material should be removed and the plant should be sanitized pruning. All dried and frozen shoots will be removed here.
  If the plant is young, then all shoots should be cut off, leaving 30 cm above the buds. In subsequent years, the longer part of the shoot is left to winter, about 70 cm, or 1.5 m from the surface of the earth, if we are talking about an adult plant.

Clematis May Darling: breeding varieties

Clematis May Darling: photos

Clematis Mai Darling is a perennial that can grow in one place for about 12 years.

Propagate the bush using seed... Dividing the bush or the method of propagation by layering is also popular.

In addition, Clematis May Darling breeds cuttings.

The seed method of reproduction is quite laborious, therefore vegetative methods are in great demand.

The bush is propagated by division, which is already about 5 years old, but no more, since dividing the roots in an adult plant, they can be damaged. Separate the roots carefully, leaving good healthy buds on each bush.

Reproduction method is often used layering... To do this, last year's young shoots should be dug to the ground with the help of special brackets, or they are pinned into a container with loose soil containing peat. Then, in the place of internode, the plant will begin to take root, after which the earth is constantly poured and new growing shoots are sprinkled. Thus, in the autumn period, individual plants will already be ready, and they can be transplanted.

For the seed method of reproduction, it is necessary in February to lower the seeds in water for about a week, while you need to constantly change it. Next, prepare the soil, which will consist of earth, peat and sand. The soil is poured into a container or pots and swollen seeds are already sown there, and sprinkled with a small layer of sand. Next, the container is covered with foil or glass.

The seedlings should be placed in a room warm enough to moisten the soil by pouring water into a tray. When you saw the first shoots, then the shelter can be removed and wait for the appearance of real leaves. After that, the seedlings are transplanted into separate containers.

The grown seedlings can be planted on the site when the soil thaws, and there is no risk of frost return. To better strengthen the root system and stimulate the growth of a large number of shoots, it is necessary to pinch the stem. In winter, young seedlings must be insulated.

Common diseases and pests

Like any other plants, clematis of this variety often infect various diseases and pests. Thus, the plants may wither or bloom poorly. Often, as experienced gardeners note, clematis are affected by diseases such as rust, powdery mildew, verticillium, root rot, and ascochitis.

• The most dangerous pests that can destroy a plant are nematodes... Having settled in the roots, nematodes will cause swelling on the processes, and clematis will begin to fade. Therefore, you need to carefully inspect the root system of the plant for the presence of nematodes before planting. A plant diseased with nematodes should be destroyed and new clematis should not be planted in this place for several more years.
• Withering is also quite common for clematis of this variety. In this case, the signs of the disease are the sudden wilting of all parts of the plant. If the stage of the disease is not too dangerous yet, then the solution of the foundation will help. If the disease has already hit the plant too much, then the culture is dug up and destroyed, after which the soil is treated with the same foundation or azocene.
• Clematis also often affects rust... Signs are orange spots on leaves and branches.To protect plants, it is treated with preparations containing copper, Bordeaux liquid effectively helps.
• Copper preparations fight against ascochitosis... This disease can be identified by the presence of bright, yellow spots that appear in July.
• Yellow mosaic - a virus that is very dangerous for the clematis variety, since it does not respond to treatment. The bush is dug up and destroyed. For preventive purposes, it is not recommended to plant a crop next to plants such as phlox, peonies and delphiniums.

Conclusion

Clematis variety Mai Darling is distinguished by very beautiful, large purple flowers. Liana perfectly performs decorative functions on the site, however, as gardeners with experience note, it requires a lot of attention and adherence to the rules of agricultural technology.