Visit Our Central Colorado Springs Location
We are open all year round and always offer the seasons most popular varieties for gardeners and plant lovers alike!
Phelan Gardens
4955 Austin Bluffs Parkway.
Colorado Springs, CO, 80918
(719) 574-8058
Perhaps you'd like a vertical accent for a trellis or need screening for a deck? Or, do you need a large groundcover? Maybe erosion control on a slope? Vines can fulfill all these functions. As with all plants, consider your sun exposure and go from there. Some vines offer blooms while others have fantastic fall color.
** Please Note: In stock availability of specific varieties listed below will vary depending upon time of season and sales. **
Size: Ranges from 8’-10’ for most, with a few that can get as big as 25'
Exposure: Full to part sun. Ideally, they like sun on their ‘heads’ and cool shade for their ‘feet.’ So, be sure to use some type of groundcover (mulch, rock) at the base to shade roots.
Most varieties of Clematis are a more controlled, compact vine compared to other types of hardy vines. They offer a huge variety of bloom size, bloom time, color, and form. Visit us for current season selections.
PRUNING TIPS: Clematis may bloom on old wood, new wood, or both depending on variety. So, different types have different pruning needs. Below is a pruning guide to help you determine what your clematis needs. If you planted your clematis last season, clip it back to 12" no matter what type it is. If your clematis has been in the ground 2 seasons or more, follow the pruning guide below.
Type 1: Blooms on OLD growth. Prune back immediately after it flowers so that it has time to develop growth for next season's flowers. These tend to be earlier blooming varieties.
Type 2: Blooms on LAST SEASON'S ripened stems. Typically repeat blooming types. Drastic pruning not recommended with these as you will sacrifice old growth which supplies flowers. Watch for bud swell on the vine and just prune dead parts that are above active growth.
Type 3: Blooms on NEW growth. Prune these vines above new leaf buds in early spring. If it's a particularly vigorous grower, you may be able to prune it back to almost 12" to encourage new growth during the season, and thus more flowers. If your vine is old and established, don't prune into older woody parts.
Exposure: Full to part sun
Other Notes: All have fragrant blooms and appreciate moist soil. Flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Japanese types (Lonicera japonica) tend to be more aggressive growing 15'-20' than the more compact/hybrid types.
Varieties:
Kintzley’s Ghost: Non-fragrant, yellow flowers late spring/early summer 8’-12’, zone 3—foliage has a silvery cast and looks very much like eucalyptus leaves. A Colorado Plant Select plant.
Goldflame: Pink & yellow flowers over a long bloom time. 10’-15’, Zone 5.
Harlequin: Variegated cream, pink and blue-green leaf. Fragrant, white and pink blooms summer to fall 10’-15’
Major Wheeler: Deep scarlet red blooms. Free flowering and blooms over a very long period. Hummingbirds love it. Very hardy to our area. Zone 4. Up to 10’H x 10’W.
Mandarin: Orange blooms similar to a Mandarin orange. Purple toned leaves emerge in Spring and turn to green. Not fragrant. Can grow to 20 feet. Zone 4.
Peaches N Cream: Deep maroon buds open to pink/white flowers. Compact vine up to 6'. Zone 4.