Clematis Rhapsody

Clematis Rhapsody: variety description

Clematis Rhapsody: photo

The handsome clematis Rhapsody is not large in size, the shoots twist vertically along the support, the shoots are not spreading and grow no more than a meter wide, the diameter of an adult plant also does not exceed ninety centimeters. The roots are strong and spreading, with a fibrous structure. Stems with good shock absorption, thin and strong, in the process of growth, the developing antennae cling to the support encountered on the way. Scourges of Clematis Rhapsody stretch up to 150 - 250 cm, their length depends on the quality of the soil and external conditions. The color of the vine is burgundy-brown, but at the same time it is quite soft and pleasant to the human eye, the leaves are of the usual green color, and the flowers are deep blue.

The leaf has a dense structure, and each of them is opposite each other, the petioles with which the leaf is attached to the stem are not long. The shape of the leaf resembles a Bulgarian pepper, elongated with an angularly rounded end. The veins of the plant are clearly visible on the plate. The outer side of the leaf is smooth, at the base it has a rough surface that is not visible to the eye, but perceptible when touched.

During the formation of flowers, clematis Rhapsody is covered with a snow-white grassy shade with buds, strong flower stalks located on the shoots have been moving towards this since the spring of the moment of their formation. The first to open are the buds located at the bottom of the shoots, it is they, relatively speaking, that give the start to abundant flowering, noticing that they have bloomed, you can be prepared for the fact that your clematis will soon enter the period of abundant flowering. At the end of summer, the first shoots are removed, thus giving place to new ones, and they, in turn, give buds, which will open in the fall.

The largest flowers are single and can reach twelve centimeters in diameter. Sepals are the most attractive part of clematis. The petals are elongated oval in shape, the length of which varies from five to seven centimeters, and the width is from one and a half to two, the edges are slightly wavy. The sepal is curved from the center, thus creating a light arc with three pronounced veins.

The flower of this variety is a blue-lilac shade, and changes color depending on external lighting. When exposed to direct sunlight, they have a deep blue color with a lilac tint, but there is a plus: it does not fade in the sun. Clematis Rhapsody located in the shady areas, at the time of flowering, acquire a blue-violet color. Many lemon-yellow stamens of this variety, which are popularly called "spider", visually highlight the core of the flower and attract attention.

The flowering period is quite long, starting from the second half of June to the end of September. Experienced gardeners say that Clematis Rhapsody is in an active flowering period of two to three months. Note that each flower also has a long flowering period.

When your clematis Rhapsody opens the first buds directly, it depends on the wintering of the plant, the quality of nutrition, fertilization and moisture.

Clematis trimming group Rhapsody

Clematis Rhapsody: photo

Everyone knows that the types of clematis are divided into three pruning groups, Rhapsody belongs precisely to the third group. Before the onset of frost and cold weather, the flower is cut off as much as possible, keeping only 20-30 centimeters of the stem. With the onset of spring, new young shoots develop and buds form on them.

One of the advantages of the Rhapsody variety and at the same time an important point in caring for the plant is that you can achieve the best flowering quality with a minimum of care and fertilization. But ignoring the pruning of the lianas, they will simply get confused with each other and will not look like a beautiful plant, but like a lump of branches with a couple of flowers at the peak of the lump.

Clematis Rhapsody cultivation

Clematis Rhapsody feels comfortable in shady conditions, but prefers sunny sides. When choosing a place for planting, choose the southern side of the house or a prepared support, the direction of growth of asthenia will be southeast, with a reference to the southwest. These characteristics apply to clematis grown in the middle lane, the same plants that are planted in the southern regions feel great on the northern side. Due to the fact that this variety feels good in shady conditions, it is periodically planted to tall trees with a thin crown, Clematis Rhapsody twists along the trunk, thus creating aesthetic beauty.

According to the characteristics of the variety, Rhapsody reaches a moderate height and can be used to decorate gazebos or walls of a house. A light shade from the sun (not permanent) is created for the bush, both annual and perennial flowers are planted around the perimeter. The root system of Rhapsody is fed from deep soil layers, so such plants in the neighborhood will not pose a threat to their development due to the struggle for food.

The variety we describe has good performance in cold weather, is able to withstand a temperature drop of up to 34 degrees. In cases of planting clematis in a harsh climate, preparation for winter includes mulching, which is performed after pruning the plant. The layer of mulch should be thick to protect the shrub.

Clematis Rhapsody is often grown indoors, on loggias, balconies and terraces. Its compact size and abundant bloom make your home bright and delicate. For this planting option, I choose a container with a volume of 10 liters or more, and if it is better not to feed the plant during the flowering process when growing in open ground, then in this case clematis needs fertilization.

An important point. Clematis with buds tolerates small drops in temperature without threats to its life.

Clematis Rhapsody planting and care

Clematis Rhapsody: photo

Having chosen a Rhapsody bush for growing on your site, the main thing is to follow the instructions for growing in accordance with the characteristics of the bush.

Planting time intervals vary depending on the climatic region:

• South: from late September to early November.
• Middle zone of Russia: all September.
• In areas with severe winters: the last days of April and the first days of May.

Preparing the landing site.

Not fastidious clematis Rhapsody grows in almost any conditions, with the exception of constant shade and in the south in direct sunlight. For planting, a site is chosen with fertile soil, predominantly loamy or sandy loam, with an acidic or slightly acidic reaction. The plant is perennial, the life cycle can reach 20 years, for this reason, a seedling pit is prepared approximately of the following dimensions, 60 cm on all sides.

50% of the excavated earth is mixed with humus or compost, in proportions 1 + 0.5 + 0.5. If the soil is clayey in composition, then to loosen it 50 to 50, it is mixed with sand.

In any of the soil options, a fertilizer complex must be added, which includes mineral and phosphorus-containing fertilizers.

In cases where the composition of the soil is acidic, add about two hundred grams of slaked lime.

Seedling preparation.

Before proceeding with the transfer of the seedling to the chosen place, a visual inspection of the plant is carried out. The fibrous root system should be strong with hairs. The stems have already formed buds.12 hours before planting, the seedling is soaked, pre-wrapped with wet material. In cases of cultivation, when a young plant is grown in a separate container, presoaking is performed with it so that when you remove it from the container, you will not damage the roots.

Rules for planting clematis Rhapsody.

In order for your beautiful Rhapsody to grow and develop without worries, you should follow just a few recommendations:

• Dense soil needs additional drainage, thus ensuring the best water drainage and air exchange.
• The pit prepared for planting is 1/3 filled with the prepared substrate.
• At the bottom of the pit, a hill is prepared, on which, by straightening the root system, and the neck is located ten centimeters below the soil level.
• The support along which the plant will curl is installed next to.
• The plant is closed with the remaining substrate, the soil is slightly compacted by trampling, watered and covered with mulch. The thickness of the layer varies depending on the time of planting, during the autumn planting the layer is thicker.

When propagating by the method of division, a young plant is deepened no more than 17 cm, while cuttings are up to ten centimeters.

Watering and feeding clematis Rhapsody.

Clematis Rhapsody: photo

The clematis variety Rhapsody is watered every seven days, 10-20 liters per bush, this amount is enough for the roots to receive moisture along the entire length. During dry periods, the frequency of watering increases.

Clematis Rhapsody, like all plants, needs additional fertilization. In the spring after planting, the bush is treated with a solution of lime (200 grams per 15 liters of water). Further, up to four dressings are performed per season. As soon as the shoots are formed, they are fed with nitrogen. Before the buds appear, potash fertilizers and organic fertilizers when the buds are ready to bloom. The nutrition at the end of summer is completed with a phosphorus-containing fertilizer with potassium supplements.

Mulching and loosening.

Mulching the soil allows you to retain moisture longer, and during dry and hot weather protects the root system of the plant, the same function is performed by low plants adjacent to Rhapsody. Some gardeners replace mulching with loosening, previously weeding the perimeter around the bush.

Pruning.

Pruning Clematis Rhapsody is carried out in the first month of spring, the last week of September, leaving up to three knots. Be sure to mulch the hole before the cold weather. Some gardeners prefer to leave a couple of shoots, wrapping them to the ground, and cover them with mulch as well.

Preparing for cold weather.

When pruning, remove all the leaves from the stem. The bush hole is filled with humus mixed with peat, ash from conifers and superphosphate. When growing clematis in the harsh regions of our country, on top of what is described above, they are covered with burlap or spruce branches or transferred to a greenhouse.

Clematis Rhapsody reproduction

Clematis Rhapsody is propagated vegetatively. Adult plants that have reached the age of five to seven years are suitable for division. The procedure is carried out either in the fall from the last days of August to the first September, or in early spring.

It is done as follows:

• One or two whips are added.
• After 12 months and not earlier, the seedlings are separated.
• The young shoot is rooted

Diseases and pests

Clematis Rhapsody: photo

Clematis are susceptible to fungal diseases such as wilting.

The main way to combat and prevent diseases is to comply with the rules of agricultural technology, namely:

• avoid waterlogging of the soil.
• avoid excess nitrogen supplements
• twice a year to carry out treatment with copper sulfate or foundation.

In addition to fungal diseases, gray rot and powdery mildew are threats to the variety described today. Signs of damage are the formation of a white or gray bloom on the green mass and stems of the plant. When damaged by rust, orange spots appear on the leaf plate, fight it with fungicides.Another enemy of Rhapsody is insects that devour foliage, they are destroyed with insecticides.

Conclusion

The Clematis Rhapsody variety is very popular in vertical gardening of plots, the bush grows rapidly upward and leaves a large area in horizontal space. And not complicated care and long flowering times are the main plus for gardeners.

Clematis Rhapsody: reviews

Valentina Igorevna Shadrova, 48 years old, Leningrad region.

I am an experienced gardener and multiplied the Rhapsody variety myself. The bush adorned my fence around the perimeter of the entire site, and believe me, these are not small volumes. Clematis is not difficult to care for and perfectly tolerates our unstable winter. Lapnik is my assistant after pruning. I treat at the beginning of summer with boric acid with potassium permanganate for 20 liters of water. Recently I carried out drip irrigation and now there is no need to waste time on watering. A wonderful plant.

Murzin Georgy Stefanovich, 52 years old, Lashma village.

A neighbor advised me to rhapsody as a decoration of my balcony. It was a pleasant surprise for me, and a plus that clematis perfectly withstood being located on the sunny side of the house. Recently I split the bush on my own and transplanted it into two different containers. The growth rate is excellent. I feed the plant in a complex, ready-made formulations. Although my balcony is closed, it still freezes in winter, for this reason I prune and cover it in the cold. The flowering process is the best moment in growing Rhapsody.