Jeanne, too funny that you mention Venosa Violacea. I succumbed and placed an order from Koi Gardens, and one of the ones I got was Venosa Violacea. I fell in love with the picture of the bloom, without knowing much about it otherwise. How nice to see that you recommend it!

The other one I got was Dr Ruppel. Fell in love with that picture also.

I also bought some tulip bulbs. They have a gorgeous selection! Jerome emailed me to let me know that my bulbs were going to take a little longer, and let me change my mind about which bulbs I wanted. He was extremely pleasant.

Jeanne, I believe you can call and place an order but the two times I have purchased from them I have used the form in the catalog to purchase the clematis. I have called and talked to the people working their phones and they were very helpful. I saw Kingfisher in the catalog but didn't order it. I know I get overly excited each fall and spring and order way too much and then curse when I have to water as much as I had to this summer with it being so dry--still is as of now. My last water bill was out of the sky--the highest that it has ever been.

You guys have me drooling over all these sales. How I wish GardenCrossing and others shipped to Canada. Would have loved to get Tie Dye... and Betty Corning, and Huldine.....

Joan, can't help you with the ones you want but I can send seeds of some of the native US species clematis and a few others if you want. Let me know and I can fix a package of seeds to send you!

About a month ago when I was purchasing a Clematis off the web from Koi Garden, I had asked them if they would switch a Clematis order for me, one for the other at the same price, but I was told that they never received the email or received it too late, and would be more then happy to send me the other Clematis I wanted free of charge. I wrote back telling them that I had purchased the other and if they wanted to send me a Clematis, then how about either the Bonanza or Galore from the Festoon Series.

I hadn't heard anything back from them and thought that was the end of it but yesterday an order came in the mail which contained a Bonanza and a Galore and they both looked great with a lot of healthy growth and a good root system. I thought that this was worth mentioning, I thought it was a wonderful gesture; it's hard to find good customer service these days!

Now I've got to find two more spots in my yard!

Good info to know Linda. That was very nice of Koi Gardens! I am sure you can find a spot for the both of them somewhere.

Hello All! My first post on this forum and although this thread is already rather long, I thought I'd chime in to thank you all for the great information, photos, and advice! I ended up buying 23 clematis from Koi Gardens during their sale - which, btw, is apparently still going on -- yes, I did say 23! It's an obsession now! I've always been a fan of clematis but was always limited to what was available locally, i.e., rather limited, and so I am now in Clematis heaven! All of them look really good, nice growth, wonderful roots although I had a heck of a time cutting those tiny pots away -- AND, they sent me two extras -- Perrin's Pride and Mrs. N. Thompson -- because they were "undersized". I've definitely seen worse at some of the local nurseries and box stores. They are acclimating right now to their gallon pots and expect that they will put on one heck of a show next year -- from spring through fall! Yay! I'll definitely go back to Koi Gardens!

Thanks again to all of you for the great information!

Yasmin

Glad to welcome you to the wonderful world of clematis!

About how long does it usually take to receive orders from these retailers? Just curious.

Some good news re the new plants we've all received from Chalk Hill. I just checked all my new plantings. The Venosa Violacea I received from Chalk Hill, and about which I was somewhat anxious because it fell apart on me a bit during planting, is doing well. There was only one visible stem when I planted it, and that stem and its leaves have turned brown. I assume I should prune them back. But a new second stem (already there but invisible, I'd guess) has started and is almost a foot tall! I will definitely trim it back, but it certainly looks healthy.

Hopefully, we will all have good news from our Chalk Hill plants.

Pat

Chalk Hills has an excellent reputation, so I doubt you have anything to worry about. I wouldn't be surprised if more nurseries will switch to a similar potting medium in the future.

Good news Pat. Mine are still there sitting as I planted them. Don't worry about top growth at this point. The clematis should be concentrating on root development at this type of year and the top growth will follow in subsequent years.

Meant to type time of year and not type of year.

Hello,

I just received my order for 6 clematis from Koi Garden Club as well. I received Westerplatte, Viticella Plena Elegans, Texensis Trevor Lawrence, Texensis Princess Diana, MME Baron Veillard, and Roguchi. All travelled beautifully. Full healthy root systems, definitely overgrown in their pots but will do very well I think. One note I would like to add about Koi Garden Club since they are an ebay seller offering a 2 year guarantee is that not only do they include their contact information and address they also state on the invoice to file the packing slip for future reference to assist in processing the replacement of any plants. That gives me a bit more confidence in them and their willingness to stand by their offer.

Tracy

Good to hear Tracy. We expect pictures of blooms next year!

Absolutely! I am now trying to decide which one to start growing up my double white blooming lilac tree. Wink, wink, any suggestions?

Tracy

The sky is the limit Tracy. Don't know what you have and what you don't have clematis-wise so don't have a clue where to begin with the suggestions! You know purple is my favorite though!!

These are what I just got in:
Westerplatte, Viticella Plena Elegans, Texensis Trevor Lawrence, Texensis Princess Diana, MME Baron Veillard, and Roguchi

Tracy

These are what I just got in:
Westerplatte, Viticella Plena Elegans, Texensis Trevor Lawrence, Texensis Princess Diana, MME Baron Veillard, and Roguchi

Tracy

I ordered 4 clematis from Koi Garden Club. They arrived about 2 weeks ago. I was thrilled with the plants and the root ball on all were very healthy. I have 4 coming from Chalk Hill that should be arriving Monday. Two Omoshiro's, Crystal Fountain and Arctic Queen. Will update when they arrive.
Arlene

Arlene,
How did you order Omoshiro??? They sold them out a couple of months ago. Did you order them early?

Alina.

Alina, I ordered mine in June or July once they updated for the fall. I received an email two weeks ago from Murray reading that Omoshiro and Artic Queen weren't as far along as they hoped and they wanted to credit my credit card. I called and asked if they could hold onto them until Spring 2008 and they said they would. I than decided that I could grow them out here just as well and left a message to that effect and the next thing I know I received notification that they had been shipped. I was afraid it would get away from me again and they stated they don't know when or if they will receive more. So now it's a waiting game to see what they look like.
Arlene

That is nice for you Arlene! I am going to order Omoshiro next spring if they will have it. I think Chalk Hill is the only mail order company that sells it.
Good luck with your new babies!

Great choices Tracy. Roguchi can be a mildew magnet so you might want to start proactive spraying for it early on. I don't have Sir Lawrence Trevor but if it is anything like the others in that texensis hybrid group, watch for mildew on it also. Duchess of Albany is the only texensis hybrid that doesn't get mildew for me. Mildew proclivities can vary from garden to garden though so you might not have an issue with it on either of the two I mentioned.

Alina, the cardinal rule for getting the clematis you want is to order them as soon as your favorite supplier has updated their website with their new offerings. You know what they say about those that hesitate! LOL

Thank you for the heads up on the mildew proclivity. I will treat them preventatively, I know my climate is supposed to be a bit safer for them regarding this issue, however, the climate seems to be quite different from years past. Thank you once again for the advice.
Tracy

No problem Tracy!

It's going to be so exciting when Spring comes around to see how all these Clematis' are going to do. I'm sure that they'll all do well. I'm really looking forward to seeing photos from everyone.

My one concern is with my Montana rubens, I love this Clematis but being in zone 5 could prove to be detrimental to this vine. I took your advice Miguel and moved it to a south facing position up against a fence, so I'm hoping with all my heart that this will protect it somewhat. I do not have the option of planting it up against my house. Right now it's growing very well, lots of redish, bronze and green leaves. Maybe we'll have another mild winter, fingers crossed!

Good luck Linda. I hope you can get it to work out for you and that global warming works in your favor!

Received my order from Koi Gardens. I'll take some pics tomorrow - it's too cold and crappy out to go do it now! I got Venosa Violacea and Dr Ruppel, but they included Inspiration, too... just to be nice, maybe? The plants look okay. A few brown crispy leaves, but I have a feeling I shouldn't be worried about that, right?

Violetta, at this point in the season I wouldn't worry about a few crispy leaves. A friend in Wilmington, NC who has been in contact with Jerome at Koi Gardens said that they will continue sending plants until the first week or so of November and will then have to cover their plants. They have some special that if you contact them directly they will sell their clematis for $5 a piece. They have quite an extensive list---

By the way, Jerome sent me the list of all his available clematis - till the end of the first week of November when they must cover their plants. Feel free to post it with the $5 offer if you want, or forward it to those who might be interested on the clematis forum - I still cannot log in there. Three of the Koi's clemtis are blooming Made me happy!

Here is the list...
Alabast
Alionushka
Allanah
(I can see my breath as I type...)
Alpina Blue Dancer
Alpina Pink Flamingo
Anna-Louise
Arabella
Asao
Ascotiensis
Belle of Woking
Beth Currie
Blue Ravine
Bonanza
Cirrhosa Freckles
Clair de Lune
Comtesse de Bouchard
Daniel Deronda
Dawn
Dr. Ruppel
Duchess of Edinburgh
Durandii
Edouard DesFosse
Elsa Spath
Ernest Markham
Fargesioides
Galore
General Sikorski
Gillian Blades
Gypsy Queen
Hagley Hybrid
Haku Ookan
Henryi
Huldine
Hyde Hall
Ice Blue
Inspiration
Integrifolia
Jackmanii
Jackmanii Superba
John Paul II
John Warren
Ken Donson
King Edward VII
Lady Betty Balfour
Lanuginosa candida
Liberation
Lincoln Star
Louise Rowe
Macropetala Blue
Marie Boisselot
Masquerade
Miss Bateman
MME Baron Veillard
MME Eduoard Andre
Montana Elizabeth
Montana Grandiflora
Montana Mayleen
Mrs. Cholmondeley
Mrs. George Jackman
Mrs. James Mason
Mrs. N Thompson (really small)
Mrs. Robert Brydon
Multi-Blue
Natascha
Nelly Moser
Perle D'Azur
Perrins Pride
Petit Faucon
Piilu
Prince Charles
Proteus
Rhapsody
Richard Pennell
Rooguchi/Roguchi
Rouge Cardinal
Royal Velvet
Royalty
Ruby Glow
Silver Moon
Snow Queen
Special Occasion
Sugar Candy
Texensis Duchess of Albany
Texensis Etoile Rose
Texensis Gravetye Beauty
Texensis Pagoda
Texensis Sir Trevor Lawrence
The President
Triternata Rubromarginata
Twilight
Victor Hugo
Victoria
Ville de Lyon
Vino
Viticella Abundance
Vit. Alba Luxurians
Vit. Carmencita
Vit. Etoile Violette
Vit. Polish Spirit
Vit. Purpurea Plena Elegans
Vit. Royal Velours
Vit. Venosa Violacea
Voluceau
Wada's Primrose
Warsaw Nike
Westerplatte (might be sold out)
Will Goodwin

Miguel..how funny hon..I just emailed the same email to you!!..Jeanne

I was naughty and ordered:
Ascotiensis
Bonanza
Victoria
Victor Hugo
Royalty
Perrin's Pride
Will share pics after they arrive..those guys Best come this Monday to remove the sod for my new beds!!
does this obsession ever end??

Tempting.....but I have 15 clematis sitting on the deck right now waiting to be planted :-)

Carol

Guess they will have to wait for a while Carol. Been raining here for two days!! Yeah!!! Hope you are getting the same.

Today is sunny and cool. Beautiful. We got an inch of much needed rain over the past two days. Nice slow rain that kind of came and went but managed to drop a decent amount! It was supposed to rain again today but they were wrong. No matter, I am happy that we got any at all. It usually misses us. I am so pleased that you have rain too!

Carol

Rain! That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you guys!

Ecstatic here Violetta. It has been raining off and on for two days now and I just checked the rain gauge which I have not checked since it started--5 inches so far! Yeah!! Carol, it looks like it is headed your way as it winds down later today and tomorrow here.

Congratulations on the RAIN! I am so happy for you guys! 5 inches? Excellent news! I hope it keeps going!

Tracy

Yes, the rain has been great! And way past time too!
I have already rec'd 4 clems from Koi Garden (which was mentioned over on the rose forum- I had not heard of it before). My plants all arrived in good condition, plenty of roots, and long vines- over 3 ft on 3 of them. I got Allanah, Haku Ookan, Jackmanii Superba, and Clair de lune. Then the 5.00 sale was announced, and I emailed Jerome w/ several more and asked to wait until the beginning of next wk to formally order them (I had to be out of town most of this wk.). He responded back promptly and said that was fine. So far, excellent customer service, and plants in good condition, and NO styrofoam to have to take to the local pkg co. to get rid of! Looks like a winner. Brandy

Thanks Tracy. I am most happy!

Brandy, glad you got it too! I agree about the past time part most certainly. I was tempted by Koi Gardens $5.00 offer but decided to hold off. I have several waiting to plant next spring and am planning on starting quite a few from seed. Of course, that is a long term project considering how long some take to germinate.

Well what's a few more clematis to plant. I went alittle crazy and ordered
Duchess of Edinburgh
Henryi
Nelly Moser
Dr. Ruppel
Liberation
Miss Bateman
Blue Ravine
Belle of Woking
Marie Boisselot
Vit. Purpurea Plena Elegans
Ernest Markham
Hagley Hybrid
Lady Betty Balfour
Rhapsody
The President
It's a sickness!!!
Arlene

My new ones arrived this wk- Arabella, Ascotiensis, Clair de lune, Pele d'Azur, V. Purpurea P. Elegans, Royal Velvet, Voluceau, and Etoile Violette. The smallest of the group is Clair dl, and I guess that's why he sent two of them but only charged me for one. Roots look good on all of them, but I have not potted them up yet. That has been added to my list of things to do this wkend (before the roses I ordered arrive next wk!). Brandy
BTW, I think you enabled me into some of these, ncville, that was earlier in the yr when I looked at your pics.

Brandy--guilty as charged. Is frost in your forecast early next week? Perhaps you are further east enough not to have to worry about that yet! I am glad to see it come after this long dry summer and fall we have had!

"Believe me, I have planned trips to pass by certain stores that I have wanted to visit in the past. I think however with Donahues I will settle for ordering the quart sized plants and growing them out myself."

Hey, Miguel, a visit to MN in the early summer/mid summer is great, warm temps during the days, cooling off in the evenings. After living in St. Louis for 8 years I moved back to MN and was frequently heard to say "What a beautiful evening" that first year back. We also have a wonderful arboretum here. So, come on up!

I miss the early springs of St. Louis as it doesn't really get springy and beautiful in MN until May. But, oh, those cool summer nights almost make up for the late spring.

I visted Donahues last April during their spring open house and bought several gallon pots of clematis. Have also ordered from them via mail with good results.

Bobbie

Bobbie, have never visited your neck of the woods but one day might get up that way. That type of midsummer weather, i.e. warm days and cool nights, is my kind of weather over the hot humid sticky summer days and nights we tend to get.

Miguel, we can get some hot sticky days and nights but they are generally in the dog days of August or early September during the state fair which is a big event here.

I have been e-mailing with Jerome from Koi Gardens. Didn't realize he was here in MN and not too far from me so I will be picking up my clematis from him next spring. Saving on shipping will allow me to get a couple more.

So, you could visit Donahue's, Koi Gardens, the MN arboretum, drive up north along Lake Superior and have a good vacation. If you like theatre Minneapolis is well known for its great variety.

Let me know if you decide to come this way. Hopefully, in a couple of years my new plantings along the neighbor's fence will be in full bloom so you could see them. But don't wait too many years as we are getting near retirement and thinking of moving somewhere warm in the winter.

Bobbie

Where in Minnesota? Actually, I just checked and it's the county west of whatever county Hastings is in - is that correct?

Will he be open to the general public?

I don't know if Koi Gardens is open to the public. Jerome lives in the Mpls area and has the plants at a farm south of Lakeville. I am going to meet him to get my clematis and am not going to the growing location.

I overstepped suggesting that Miguel could visit Koi Gardens. Thought he and Jermone might arrange a private visit. Sorry.

LOL! No, you didn't overstep! We are always available for a private tour, by appointment, or during our special plant sales.

The plants are kept in a private nursery on a farm. Some of the plants are mine, some belong to Avant Gardens of MN, a water feature landscape company in the Twin Cities area (not to be confused with the east coast greenhouse company of the same name.)

We have weekend plant sales many times throughout the growing season, so if you are in the area and want to know when these sales are, please sign up in the Spam-Free Email Newsletter box on my clematis page.

Thank you again all! I'm off to ship out the first batch of plants as the new owner of KGC. Jerome

Bobbie, I am sure you get some hot sticky days but down here it goes on for months. I like summer the least of all the seasons. I like cooler weather although I am not sure if I could take your winters. I quite understand if you might want to retire to a place that has warmer winters although you might regret the summers! LOL My dream life would include a place up north for the spring, summer, and fall, and a place in the south for the winter. Your areas sounds like a great place to visit and I can't rule it out. The last three years the major vacation has been cruises in the Caribbean during the mid-fall and I greatly have enjoyed all three including the jewelry purchases that I have made on all three voyages.