Clematis

Our clematis started blooming Sunday again.  When I first planted it, I placed it near the faucet and the traffic by the dogs discouraged this delicate vine from reaching its potential.  I moved it -- like I do alot of plants that are not doing well to see if it might fare better in a sunnier place in the garden.  I gave it a  support system on a iron trellis, trimmed it back and it's now flourishing.   This is a fairly young Jackmanii which is a rich, velvety purple. I am hopeful that the blooms will increase in ther future.  I understand that the climbing plants could eventually reach 10 to 12 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide. It's definitely not a plant for the mailbox,but it is ideal to thread through a trellis or pergola. I prune it annually.  It's my understanding that you can propogate it by cutting (cut, wet and dip into rooting solution) or layering (secure the stem into the soil and cover with peat and soil). To get a good picture, I had to do a little staging because the flowers are so delicate and heavy.  I can't wait until it blooms next year.