Clematis recta
ground clematis
ranunculaceaeFringed, fragrant white flowers; compound
blue-green leaves
3–4 ft. high; 3 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms May–June
Zones 3–7
pruning Plants can be cut down after
flowering for lush new growth and
rebloom and as a means of minimizing
black blister beetle damage. Shearing
plants to the ground in early to
mid-July or when the first beetles are
sighted will avoid most of the feeding
of the beetles. A few beetles may still
be around as the new growth starts,
and these can be knocked off with a
booted foot or gloved hand and then
stepped on; any damage by beetles at
this point won’t be significant. Be
certain to wear gloves when pruning
or staking, as a stray beetle may be
hiding under the foliage and can cause
blistering on your hands. Lush new
growth will return in about a month
after shearing, and plants will grow to
nearly full again and produce sporadic
rebloom. Pea staking is required at
this point, or plants can be left to crawl
along the ground. Plants cut back by a
third in early July received a good deal
of beetle damage, but they put on new
terminal growth after the beetles were
gone. Still, plants didn’t rebloom, had
bare stems at their bases, and were
never as attractive as plants sheared to
the ground. Plants get mushy after a
hard frost, and it may be desirable to
cut them back at this time.
other maintenance Plants can
be left to crawl, although pea staking
lifts flowers up to a more visible height
and restricts the space occupied by
ground clematis in the garden. Stake
in late April or early May before
flowering starts. Fairly tolerant of dry
conditions, but prefers moist,
high-organic soil.
related plantS Clematis recta
‘Purpurea’ has purple stems and leaves
that fade as they age, so cutting plants
back after flowering, as described, can
send forth a new flush of purple
foliage in August.Clinopodium
grandiflorum
large-flowered calamint
lamiaceaeTubular lobed pink flowers; aromatic
toothed green leaves
Blooms June–September
18–24 in. high; 12–15 in. wide
Full sun–part shade
Zones 5–9
pruning Large-flowered calamint is
valued for its long bloom time. Spent
flowers are self-cleaning, shriveling
and falling neatly from the plant.
When blooms do begin to dwindle in
late summer, shear plants to induce a
flush of fresh foliage and possible
rebloom. This species may reseed;
promptly shear spent flowers if this is
an issue. Cut plants to the ground in
late winter.
other maintenance This
European native performs best in
moist but well-drained soil in sun or
dappled shade. Powdery mildew can
be a problem; grow plants in an openClematis recta