Peggy picked out some lovely new clematis to add to our collection this spring.  She was particularly excited about the three new evergreen varieties she brought in.

These first two are Clematis armandii.  These two are not a delicate twining vine but rather a bulky, sprawling thing that can take over a trellis and are quite beautiful whether in or out of bloom.  They are also very useful planted to grow up the trunk and into the branches (up to 20' high) of trees since they also prefer light shade here in the south.  The leaves are long, leathery and glossy.  The fragrant flowers are born in clusters at the end of branches from March into April.

Clematis armandii 'Snowdrift'

Clematis armandii 'Apple Blossom'

Clematis x cartmanii 'Joe' has finely cut leathery leaves and flowers also born in clusters in March into April.  Its quite lovely and from what I have seen, bloom even when the vine is quite small.  All of ours are blooming right now.  I have seen this one planted and groomed to cover a small trellis and also spilling out of a pot.  The 'Joe' below has been growing in this pot for about 8 years.  This one will also do better in morning sun