Clematis and Hebe Not Flowering

[Fireweed]

Hi, can anyone help?

We have a clematis ("Mrs Norman Thompson") in a half-barrel, which was there when we moved in. It has never flowered! Last year I tried pruning it per instructions in a book about clematises, making sure I was following the correct pruning guide for the type of clematis it is - but still no flowers. It is in partial shade but does get full sun in mid afternoon.

Also we have a Hebe rakensii (or is it rakensis). We've had this for five years, and it has grown slowly but never flowered. Last September I moved it to a position where it can get more sun - it seems to have taken the move quite well. I've given it a general fertiliser this Spring. It's new position is NOT a hot, sunny site, but it is only light shade with full sun from late morning to early afternoon. Our soil is clayey. Any chance of it flowering, do you think?

[Seajay]

Both are not difficult to grow.
Clematis N. Thomson was raised locally by Walter Pennell of Lincolnshire and it is an excellent grower. He knew his stuff. It is also excellent for a container. It is not particularly rampant and needs a light prune only that way you will not remove the early first flowers. Are you feeding the plant well (they are very greedy plants) and in a container you must on no account let it go short of water. I hope I am not teaching you to suck eggs but you could be pouring water into the barrel but is it wetting the soil? Have a root round digging down to see but keep away from the crown. Give it a good mulch of the good stuff again keeping it clear of the plant stems. If it doesn't flower sometime this year (it depends how much you pruned it last year and when) I'll eat my hat!
Hebe - I've grown a few in my time and found them rampant and ready flowerers though I have a light, sandy soil. I would see how it goes this year now you've fed and moved it ( it could have been short of potash which it will now have) and if it doesn't flower try preparing a plant site with lots of grit added to the soil. If that doesn't work put it on the compost heap, there's plenty of plants that would love a clay soil.

p.s. Your clematis will flower in any aspect, the Hebe does prefer sun but I've had them flower well in shade.

Colin

[Fireweed]

Thanks, Seejay/Colin.

Even though our clematis doesn't flower it grows well! This Spring I've carefully replaced the top 2 inches of compost in the half-barrel with new compost and added a general fertilizer (advice from Alan Titchmarsh book). Last year we watered regularly from late Spring to early Autumn with added liquid feed, and will do so again this year. I don't think the half-barrel dries out (there are worms in it) but will now check as you advise.

re. Hebe - I've been thinking about potash. Would it be a good idea to give the Hebe a few potash feeds this year? Now a stupid question - can one buy straight potash from the garden centre because I don't think I've seen it in the one I go to?

[Bub-les]

If you use a tomato feed you will get a higher potash content as its needed for fruiting as well. You could use it to feed the clematis also.
Barbara

[nightshade]

I have a couple of Hebe and they grow well on clay,the clematis may
not be getting enough sunshine (I know the feeling) mine get a top
dressing of well rotted manure wether they need it or not

[Seajay]

It sounds to me you are doing everything right especially if there's worms in the compost, Fireweed but it will do no harm to check.
As Barbara suggests tomato liquid feed is an excellent idea and Nightshade's manure whether they need it or not another Good to hear they do grow well on clay too but they do require good drainage.
Mrs N. Thomson grows extremely well in shade in fact it helps preserve the colour of the flower as I find they bleach a little in strong sun. (As a little aside Clematis 'Marie Boisselot' is another good plant to use in such a position - a beautiful white As is Henryii). All of these plants I have grown in my present and previous gardens and they are excellent 'doers'. The variety of Hebe you are growing I have not so I am commenting on Hebes I have grown.
Have you tried a soil test? It may be worth a shot. If you don't want to do it yourself I believe you can send samples for analasys though at what cost I don't know.
I honestly feel the actions you have taken will cure the problem so I think it's just wait and see.
I've been trying for a few years to get Clematis 'Freckles' to flower in a brick planter I built. Was going to compost it then it flowered. Only a few but it's a start. So sometimes they just go their own way. It's the gardener's favourite word I think - patience
I'd be interested to know when your plants flower if you can think on.

Colin

[Fireweed]

Thanks all. And I will update if the clematis and/or hebe flower.

I will also lay it on the line with the clematis -"look, flower or you might not see another Spring"!

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Fireweed

Hi, can anyone help?

We have a clematis ("Mrs Norman Thompson") in a half-barrel, which was there when we moved in. It has never flowered! Last year I tried pruning it per instructions in a book about clematises, making sure I was following the correct pruning guide for the type of clematis it is - but still no flowers. It is in partial shade but does get full sun in mid afternoon.

Also we have a Hebe rakensii (or is it rakensis). We've had this for five years, and it has grown slowly but never flowered. Last September I moved it to a position where it can get more sun - it seems to have taken the move quite well. I've given it a general fertiliser this Spring. It's new position is NOT a hot, sunny site, but it is only light shade with full sun from late morning to early afternoon. Our soil is clayey. Any chance of it flowering, do you think?

Failure to flower is not necessarily evidence of a soil condition problem - in fact conversely a plant may fail to flower because it is being too well fed, putting all its effort into growth rather than reproduction.

I'm not sure what you could try with the hebe - with the clemetis I would suggest starting a very thorough watering regime from now until the end of May - a thorough soaking at least twice a week. I would then (unless we are in the middle of a real drought) give it a two week break. This 'false' drought' may force flowering. You will need to watch for signs of wilting though and resume watering if the compost becomes dry more than 5cms from the surface.

CM