Of all the clematis I have in my yard, 'Texensis' has to be my favorite. I am a lover of the bell flowers:
Which is the form they are in when they first start to open.
They do slowly lose that shape as you can see the bloom in the lower right of the photo above is starting to do. The rich red color is incredible tho and that remains whether the petals are fully open or not. Here's the top of my trellis showing some older blooms:
This is 'Texensis' third year in my garden and it really took off this spring. I suspect I will have to find an even taller trellis for it next season but that's a great problem to have, right?
I added 'Duchess of Albany' to my garden this year which is supposed to have a similar bell shape but more pink than red. It isn't anywhere close to blooming at this time. But 'Fremontii' is growing (same bell flowers just white) so maybe there will be blooms yet from him. Of course Clematis Integrifolia bloomed long ago and has since been sheared back.
It will rebloom, slightly less profusely, by giving it the haircut. I'm already looking forward to the second round. The only other clematis currently blooming is not a bell shape and it's also one I don't remember the name of:
I picked it up at Walmart about five years ago and although it gets a little too much shade to bloom well, the flowers that do open are very picturesque climbing among the aspen trunks. Today my job list includes finding the perfect spot for the 'Hagley hybrid' clematis I bought over the holiday weekend and getting it planted. After, of course, my daughter has her riding lesson!
I'm with you, love the red one...texensis! Very nice. There are so many cultivars of Clematis, I find it hard to choose.
Posted by: Janet | July 06, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Kathleen I see why you like this beautiful clematis. I love the rich red of the blooms.
Posted by: keewee | July 06, 2009 at 09:12 AM
I love the bell shaped flowers too. I don't think I've seen any like the first one before.
Have a good day with your daughter and in the garden.
Posted by: Catherine/gardenerprogress | July 06, 2009 at 09:36 AM
That red Texensis is absolutely beautiful. That is one I'd love to have. Locally there is usually a very limited selection and I've never seen any of the bell shaped varieties--I always look for Betty Corning and never see her either.
Marnie
Posted by: Marnie | July 06, 2009 at 10:39 AM
Love that red 'Texensis'!
Posted by: Victoria | July 06, 2009 at 11:04 AM
The picture of the red texensis up against the wall is so beautiful! -Jackie
Posted by: Jackie (Ellie Mae' Cottage) | July 06, 2009 at 11:54 AM
You have the coolest plant specimens. I love this red clematis. I have the Betty Corning bell shaped one. I never even knew there was a red one. It's lovely.
Posted by: tina | July 06, 2009 at 03:59 PM
I don't know which I like more about Texensis-the wow color or the bell shape. Beautiful clematis all!
Posted by: Beckie | July 06, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Just beautiful, Kathleen! I love the color. I have been after a bell shaped one for a while now called Swamp clematis (Clematis Crispa). Jan at Always Growing almost killer hers while working in the garden- but thankfully it made it! Just a beauty.
Posted by: Tessa at Blunders with shoots, blossoms 'n roots | July 06, 2009 at 08:41 PM
I love the bell clematis flowers. Your red one is so pretty. I just love red clematis too!!! I have one bell flower pagoda and its really a cute little thing when it blooms!
Posted by: cindee | July 06, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Oh Kathleen, these are all so lovely and your photos superb, as per usual. Fremonti, seems I was wanting that one but leery if it could grow here. You have inspired me!
Frances
Posted by: Frances | July 07, 2009 at 05:08 AM
Very beautiful - guess more gets added to the 'wish list' that is about 5 miles long! I'm going to post it some day.
Posted by: RainGardener | July 07, 2009 at 07:45 AM
such gorgeous colors - you are quite the bargain queen, huh? what lucky and beautiful finds! I am looking forward to hearing more at the end of the season about how you keep these plants from year to year...I haven't had much luck with that.
Posted by: Alice Golden | July 07, 2009 at 09:23 AM
You have a great variety of clematis. You and MMD! I need to rectify my sad situation with regard to these flowers... I have one that's a year old. It's great - "Niobe." :-)
Posted by: Shady Gardener | July 07, 2009 at 06:02 PM
You do like the unusual as some have said. It's your artist touch that loves all the curves and delicate patterns. And your daughter takes riding lessons--very cool.
Posted by: Anna/Flowergardengirl | July 07, 2009 at 11:10 PM
I agree that is a great problem to have (needing to buy a bigger trellis) Kathleen! ;) I love the bell shaped new blossoms.
Posted by: Racquel | July 08, 2009 at 05:49 AM
How beautiful! I didn't realize C. texensis could be red. Such a vivid color!
Posted by: Sweet Bay | July 12, 2009 at 09:06 AM