Categories: Large-flowered, pink clematis, 2 pruning group,
The clematis variety ‘Abilene’ (Evipo027) was obtained from Raymond Evison Clematis Nursery relatively recently. In 2011, the variety was introduced in the UK. It is included in the collection of clematis ‘Boulevard’.
Characteristics
| Group | Early-flowering large-flowered clematis |
| Pruning Group | 2 (light pruning) |
| Height | 3-5 ft (100-150 cm) |
| Flowers | large, flat, with 8 sepals |
| Flower Color | pink |
| Blooming Period | from May to June and in September |
| Winter Hardiness Zones | 4-9 |
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Clematis ‘Boulevard Abilene’ has a maximum shoot length of 1.5 meters. Flowers are large, up to 18 cm in diameter, with 8 (sometimes 6) sepals of pink or dark pink color. Darker stripes are clearly visible in the middle part of the sepals. The first flowering in the UK occurs in May-June, with a second, less abundant flowering in September.
Pictures
Clematis ‘Boulevard Abilene planting and care’
Clematis ‘Abilene’ is moderately demanding in terms of growing conditions. The best climate for it would be the UK or Oregon, but it can also grow in regions with colder winters, even Michigan. It will require proper planting site selection and careful winter shelter.
When is it best to plant clematis ‘Abilene’?
Clematis are best planted in spring or fall when the soil is moist and temperatures are relatively mild. Spring clematis should be planted when the threat of frost has passed, usually in April or May, depending on the climate zone. Fall planting is usually done in September or October, also depending on the climate. However, it is important to make sure that the plants have enough time to root before winter sets in.
Place for planting clematis
If you are in a region with cold winters and short summers, such as Michigan, Wisconsin or southern Canada, you should choose a location that is well-lit and protected from north winds. A spot near a south wall will be best, but the distance from the wall to the planting point should be at least 1.5 feet
If grown in southern states, ‘Abilene’ clematis will not be at risk of frost. In this case the danger to it will be from too bright a sun. Choose a spot where the clematis will be shaded during midday.
The soil for clematis should be light, fertile, with a pH from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Generally, large-flowered clematis develop well in acidic soil, but soil fungi that cause clematis wilt also grow well there. This is the most dangerous disease.
Preparing a planting hole for clematis
Although ‘Abilene’ clematis is small, it will need a large planting hole to grow well in the first few years. It will be good if you prepare a hole at least 1.5 feet wide and the same depth.
Use the soil that you have removed from the hole to fill it. Mix this soil with compost or humus at a ratio of 1 part soil to 1 part compost. Add 1 ounce of potassium sulfate and 1 ounce of superphosphate.
How to plant clematis ‘Abilene’?
If you are planting in spring or fall, take the plant out of the pot and gently loosen the soil before planting. Spread and inspect the roots. Damaged and rotten roots should be cut off and the cuttings should be covered with ash or crushed charcoal. I also recommend powdering the entire root system and tillering node with a mixture of dry sand and ash to protect the plant from soil fungi for a while.
Plant the clematis with the roots spreading in different directions. If you have bought a mature plant whose stems are woody at the bottom, you can bury the stems by one or two pairs of buds when planting. The plant will then bush up from the ground. If the clematis is young and the stems are green at the bottom, you should not bury them deep
Carefully fill the roots with the prepared earth mixture, then abundantly water it and tamp the soil. The planting is finished.
Planting clematis ‘Abilene’ in a pot
As ‘Abilene’ is quite compact, it can be grown in a pot. A large enough pot, preferably round, will be needed for successful cultivation. I believe it should be at least 1.5 feet in diameter and at least 1 foot deep. Such a pot has a capacity of 35 liters, which is about 9 1/4 gallons.
The container should definitely have large drainage holes at the bottom, and preferably also on the sides. At the bottom of the container should be poured a layer of expanded clay, and then fill it with loose soil for beautifully flowering plants. The pH of the soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline. It is also worth adding a prolonged fertilizer such as Osmocote to the soil. I find it best to use Osmocote PrePlant 16-18M, because it lasts for 2 years.
Plant clematis ‘Boulevars Abilene’ in a pot in the same way as in the open ground, but when caring should be careful with watering – it is better to water abundantly, but rarely, so that the soil has time to dry out. Otherwise, growing clematis in a pot has no difficulties.
Clematis ‘Abilene’ care
Watering
Clematis should only be watered in severe drought. Do not water with cold water. Watering should be infrequent but abundant.
Fertilizing clematis
In the first year after planting, additional fertilizing is not necessary, because you have already added everything necessary for the growth of clematis in the planting hole. You can only apply about 5 grams of nitrogen in spring for faster growth of the above-ground parts.
From the 2nd year onwards, feed the clematis according to the following schedule
- At the beginning of growth in the spring, apply organic fertilizer, as well as complex mineral fertilizer. Apply about 10 grams of nitrogen, 5 grams of phosphorus and 5 grams of potassium per adult plant. For a young plant, the fertilizer rate is 2 times less.
- When buds begin to appear on the plant, apply 5 grams of phosphorus, 5 grams of nitrogen and 5 grams of potassium per active ingredient, as well as the full range of micronutrients.
- About 3 weeks after the second fertilization, repeat it.
- In August, fertilize clematis with 5 grams of phosphorus and 5 grams of potassium.
Pruning clematis ‘Abilene’
Clematis Abilene belongs to pruning group 2: this means that a fairly large part of the shoot must be saved for the winter. In summer, after flowering has stopped, cut off the generative part of the shoot, i.e. the part where the flowers were located, from the previous year’s shoots. In the fall, after the second wave of flowering, cut off the flowering part of the current year’s shoots. You will be left with stems about 60-80 cm high. If you are in a region where frosts come for the winter, these remnants of stems should be carefully covered.
Diseases of clematis
The only serious disease for Abilene clematis is wilt. Wilt is caused by soil fungi that enter through lesions in the roots or in the lower part of the shoots. They advance through the vessels inside the stem and fill the stem. Because of this, the flow of water and minerals to the stem is impaired, and the stem wilts completely in a matter of days or sometimes hours. Such a damaged stem should be cut out.
To reduce the likelihood of wilt, try to maintain a slightly alkaline soil environment by periodically watering it with a solution of lime or other alkalizing components. In addition, you can use preparations based on Bacillus subtilis, which also inhibit the development of soil fungi. Sprinkling the soil surface around the stems with a mixture of sand and ash partially helps.
Clematis ‘Abilene’ reviews
- Tennessee: Clematis has been growing for 3 years. In the first year there were 2 flowers, in the second year for unknown reasons the plant did not flower at all, but only grew leaves. And now in the third year, three new stems appeared and during the year there were several flowers on each of them. The shoots are very small, not exceeding 3 feet. Overall, the clematis looks beautiful, although I wish it were thicker.
- North Carolina: No problems with the clematis zabelena has never had any problems. It is low and grows under the window, not actually reaching the windows each year. Compared to many other clematis, it blooms less profusely, but it has fairly large flowers.
- New Jersey: Clematis ‘Abilene’ requires covering every year, but instead of covering it, the author simply hides a pot of it in the basement. The cellar is unheated, so the clematis winters well in such conditions.
- Texas: Clematis ‘Abilene’ is one of the large-flowered clematis in the collection. It blooms earlier than many others, differs from most clematis by its small stature. The author of this review has not had any problems with it.
If you have also grown clematis ‘Abilene’, please leave your feedback in the comments to the article. It may be useful to other readers.
About the author
Fedor Fironov
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