Now I see from reading an old post that I shouldn't have bought a pruning group 2 and a group 3 to plant together. Is this going to be a real problem later on? Maybe I should call and see if they will allow me to sub one of my plants? Help!

I grow those two togather. When the pic was made climbing rose sombrieul was growing through them, but it got unmanageable and I removed it. The picture was made last year. I don't have a picture from this year and after they finished blooming I cut them all the way back and they are starting to bud out now. In about 2 weeks they will be in bloom again. I prune them alike. Cut them all the way back in late winter and again after they finish blooming.

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Well I would say it does sort of open a redish color but it fades to a fushia pink. I'm sure the two you have picked will look fine together. And I have read that if you put a pruneing group 2 with a 3 you just prune like 3 - you will still get blooms on the 2 variety - just a little later.
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Golden

Thanks, Bob and Golden! How cool that you are growing (and had a photo to post) of the same combination, Bob. They DO look good together.

Lovely photos, Golden--I guess maybe it is reddish around the outside edge, and more of a fuschia color inside? Btw, what is the little white one you've got there? I'm thinking of a white for another spot.

I will follow your advice and cut them both back late winter and after bloom.

I'm grateful for this forum, and people who know what they're doing! I almost called and changed my order, but you have set my mind at ease.

Thank you!

I think you will really like Ville de Lyon - it is really very pretty. Funny thing is once you start buying clematis - you just seem to keep buying - at least I did and I find most people do - lol. The white clem in the picture there is Marie Boisselot. I just planted it this year. Golden

If you are planting 2 clematiis together, how close would you plant them, so that they mingle when they grow. Wouls 2 feet be okay ? I am thinking of Elsa Spath and Gilian blades as companions.

2 Feet apart is just purrrrfect!! Gorgeous Pics Lynn and Bob!!...Jeanne

Golden, I see what you mean--I have already decided I need more and I haven't even got my first two yet! I just hope I can manage to do everything right so they look as beautiful as yours do. Do you mind if I ask what fertilizer you use and how often?

Thanks!

Well I have had the odd ups and downs thats for sure - Ive got wilt a few times with different clems. But they have all seemed to recover - I even had one clem not even show its face (twigg or anything) last year - thought it was dead as a door nail - untill this year it suddenly sprung up and looks healthier than ever - actually I dont even know what the name of it is now - as I thought it was dead and just plain forgot about it. Anyways still waiting for it to actually flower though??
By the way I use a fertilizer called So-Green - Clematis & Vine food. But if you cant find that you can use Rose food. And I have just sprinkled it on every 6 - 8 weeks in the growing season - but always remember to stop once the buds form or you will rush the blooming time.
Alot of my clematis are just young as I went NUTS buying them this year. I think I have just about planted clems everywhere I can find a spot too - lol.
Just make sure you plant the clems as per the instructions(as that is very important) and give them plenty of water and you will do fine ! Best of luck!! Golden

Thanks for the fertilizer info. So once they are about to flower, I stop fertilizing for the rest of the season? (For groups 2 & 3, which is what I ordered.)

Thanks for your help.

Aren't both Ville de Lyon and Comtesse de Bouchard pruning type 3? Not that it really matters a whole lot, I'm certainly finding you can prune 3's as 2's and vice versa.

I have Ville de Lyon planted with a pale pink mini climbing rose, Jeannie La Joie and the combo is great.

Buyorsesll, on the Brushwood site, Ville de Lyon is listed as group 2. But since I'm going to plant the group 2 close to the group 3, they are both going to be group 3 for all intents and purposes.

I'm glad to hear your combo works, I think mine will be similar, color-wise. Jeanne is a beautiful rose.

Well I think they are wrong on the Brushwood site - Ville de lyon is a hard prune - group 3. Golden

Lynn is correct..it's a pruning group 3..always consult COTW to be sure...Jeanne

Here is a link that might be useful: How To Prune Clematis

I did a quick search and most Websites do say group 3; one said "Pruning group B or C." It seems like a consensus to me! It's just as well, since I was going to treat it as a group 3, anyway.

Jeanne, I see I missed your post as I was also posting! Thanks for the link; it's good to know where to go for the final word.

ColoradoBird!!..You are so welcomed..I ALWAYS refer to COTW!!..That is the Clematis Bible IMHO..Just go to main page and click on CLEMATIS A-Z and then the first letter of the clematis name...you can also use the Search feature for Identifying...or dreaming..by colour...by pruning group...by blooming period...just a wonderful site that I use almost daily....Jeanne

I am pulling this thread back up because I want to know how your Ville De Lyon are doing with type 3 prunning? I prunned mine as a type 3 because that is what I thought it was, and now I see in Bluestone Perennials it is listed as type 2. Just thought I would see what people think. Amy

I am still Hard pruning mine..I have two now...what a wonderful clematis!!..Jeanne

I pruned mine as a 3, in midApril, as soon as I could see leaf buds. It has put out a lot of new stems.

Marie

I've had mine several years and treat as type 3. Blooms well.

Can someone comment on the vine size/strength of this clematis? Compared to other clematis we have this one has a much stronger vine system almost comparable to a grape vine. Living in Minnesota this is a big plus for us. Or other clematis have vines that a much smaller and almost angle hair size. As noted this Ville De Lyon has the texture of a grape vine. Can someone tell me if this is normal for this plant? Are there others that have this trait?

The vine diameter sometimes increases with age, but on the other hand, some varieties stay more skinny. In Maine, I prefer the thick vined ones too, but it won't stop me if it is thin and I like it, just have to be more careful when training to a trellis etc.

Marie Boisselot has the thickest new vines, but she is one of the oldest in my garden.

Marie

Hi, I bought a clematis about 7 years ago from Park Seeds and I think it might be Ville De Lyon. It is not red at all, but to me it is more of a hot pink with darker edges... I wish I know for sure what the name is on mine. If anyone has any idea, I would be most grateful!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Flowers in Mercy's Garden

Your link tells me that it is unavailable and that I may not have permission. Here is my V de L in its first year, growing through a hydrangea.
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Oh, be still my heart. How perfect.

Ville de Lyon is easy to identify, there is no other Clematis like it.

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it's one of my favorites.

I see the span of this thread was from 2006 to 2010, 4 years. Well, now it's 6 years. LOL! Just orderd a Ville de Lyon from a reputable seller on eBay, good product as I've ordered from them two other times this year so far. I went a bit 'Clematis Crazy' this year. I've had a Jackmanii since about 1980. Two years ago I added a Henryii and last year I added 'Will Goodwin' and Comtesse de Bouchard' I have a corner of the yard where I have an arbor, several poles and trellis's where I have grown annual vines for many years. Decided to go with clematis and end the yearly replanting. Well, so far I have added 34 new clematis to that corner. I think it will be quite spectacular in a few years!

Bill, that sounds lovely. You must show us pictures when they finally bloom.

Kate