Description and cultivation of clematis variety Ernest Markham, pruning group

Clematis are widespread throughout the world; the variety of colors and shapes of their flowers does not leave any gardener indifferent. Large-flowered clematis with bright and abundant flowering, to which Ernest Markham belongs, look especially impressive. But it will not grow successfully on its own; you need to know the specific care rules and follow agricultural techniques.

Description and characteristics of clematis Ernest Markham

This is an English variety of clematis with large flowers, up to 15 centimeters in diameter. They are slightly velvety, rich, lilac-reddish, sometimes bright red in color with a light core. The variety blooms late, on young shoots of the current year - from July, but blooms for quite a long time, until October. The lashes grow to a height of 3-4 meters. The applicant is the breeder Ernest Markham.

Advantages and disadvantages of a flower

This hybrid large-flowered clematis is deservedly popular among gardeners, but, in addition to obvious advantages, it also has some disadvantages.

Strengths:

• Ernest Markham can grow in full sun. Flowers do not get burned and do not lose light saturation;
• bright, spectacular, abundant flowering of clematis;
• adult clematis has good growth vigor and quickly grows numerous lashes;
• Ernest Markham is able to climb supports, fences, and bars;
• clematis is suitable for growing in large containers or pots;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• good frost resistance, down to -35 C degrees (USDA zone 4-9) and drought resistance.

Weak sides:

• late flowering period, in the northern regions, with the early onset of frost, the flowering period will be short;
• young plants may experience growth retardation; stimulation with nitrogen fertilizers is necessary.

Rules for planting crops

To obtain a luxurious, beautifully flowering bush in the future, the gardener must correctly select and plant clematis seedlings.

Boarding time

Open-root clematis begin to be planted as early as possible - when the soil warms up a little. In the south - from the beginning of April, in other regions planting can be carried out from May.The main thing is not to plant clematis with OCS in the heat, but if there is no choice, then after planting it is necessary to mulch the soil and shade it for the first time. When purchasing seedlings with ZKS (in pots), they can be planted throughout the season, but when planting in summer, the first time must be shaded during the day.

Selecting a location and preparing the soil for planting

The Ernest Markham variety shows the greatest decorative value when grown in sunny places. But in the southern regions it does not lose its effectiveness even when placed in partial shade. Before planting, it is necessary to prepare a planting hole with a depth and width of 40-50 centimeters.

It is filled with planting substrate, which consists of 3 parts of light, non-acidic peat, 1 part of well-rotted manure and 1 part of coarse sand or agroperlite. You can add a couple of spoons of wood ash and finely chopped sphagnum moss.

Selection and purchase of planting material

Saplings with an open root system should have developed, 15-20 cm roots and several pronounced growth buds. The roots should not be diseased, rotten, have a rotten smell, or have a yellowish-brown or orange color. When choosing seedlings in pots, they should have at least a few young, strong shoots. It is advisable if the roots are already peeking through the drainage holes.

Planting process

Seedlings in pots (with a closed root system) are placed at the bottom of the planting hole, with a depth of up to 10 centimeters, sprinkled with soil, compacted and spilled with plenty of water. When planting seedlings with bare roots, a mound of substrate is poured onto the bottom of the hole, and the roots are spread out on it. They are also buried to 10 centimeters, sprinkled with earth, lightly compacted and watered well.

Care instructions

To maintain high decorative qualities and general health of the Ernest Markham bush, it is necessary to properly prune, feed and water it.

Watering

The frequency of watering depends on the type of soil, the frequency of precipitation and the growing region. Mulching the soil allows you to moisten it less frequently. It is important to remember that clematis will be destroyed more quickly by stagnation of water than by drought.

But for the successful development of the plant, it is necessary to carry out abundant watering several times a week, especially in the hot season.

Feeding

Abundantly flowering, large-flowered varieties require complete, balanced nutrition, depending on the stage of development. At the beginning of the growing season, more nitrogen is needed; during flowering, the consumption of phosphorus and potassium increases.

Trimming

Ernest Markham refers to clematis that are characterized by pruning group III (full). In the fall, all the vines on the vine are cut to zero, level with the soil level, or only a couple of nodes are left. In the spring, new shoots grow, on which flowers form.

Mulching and loosening

Clematis prefer their root zone to be protected from direct sunlight. It is beautiful and effective to plant ground cover plants with shallow roots or flowers “at its feet.” Marigolds are perfect because, in addition, they protect clematis from nematode damage.

The correct agricultural practice would be to mulch the root zone with a thick (up to 20 centimeters) layer of organic matter. If you use green manure, in particular mustard, in addition to enriching the soil, this will also serve as the prevention of many diseases.

If there is mulch, there is no need to loosen the root zone.With bare soil, loosening is necessary up to 3-4 times a month, depending on the type of soil (more often on heavy soils) and the frequency of watering. In addition, loosening not only facilitates access of oxygen to the roots of clematis, but also helps in the fight against weeds.

Preparing for winter

Preparing clematis Ernest Markham for winter consists of performing simple, sequential tasks:

• sanitary cleaning and pruning of leaves and shoots;
• preventive spraying with a copper-containing fungicide, for example, copper sulfate;
• removal from the trellis onto previously prepared flooring (needles, agrofibre, burlap);
• cover with warm, breathable material (for example, agrofibre).

Diseases and pests

Clematis are susceptible to many diseases and pests. Ernest Markham is resistant to the main ones, but to maintain health, 2-3 preventive sprays with chemicals are necessary. Moreover, insecticides and fungicides can be used in one tank mixture, provided they are compatible. For example, Ridomil Gold and Aktara. It would not be superfluous to add an adhesive to prevent the drug from dripping from the leaves.

Reproduction methods

Summer residents can propagate the variety they like themselves, including Ernest Markham, using the cutting method, dividing the bush or planting layering.

By layering

A good way to propagate clematis is to bury an almost woody whip in a groove next to the bush. It is pinned with staples to fix it at a depth of up to 10 centimeters, and sprinkled with earth. Afterwards, pour plenty of water and mulch on top. It is important to ensure that the storage area is regularly moistened; after 2-3 months, a rooted clematis seedling is formed at each node of the lash.

Cuttings

Clematis propagates well from semi-lignified cuttings. The best time for cuttings is spring or early summer. It is best to cut them before flowering. A piece of stem is cut, preferably from the middle part of the vine, with one or two nodes; the lower edge is cut at an angle, and the upper edge remains straight.

After dusting the lower cut with a rooting stimulator, it is placed in a greenhouse or greenhouse, where it is regularly sprayed until the roots grow.

Dividing the bush

Clematis, starting from 3 years of age, are propagated by dividing the bush. It is dug up and carefully divided into parts of the stem with a piece of the root. There are not many seedlings coming out, but they turn out to be quite powerful.