‘New Love’ Clematis offers a unique presence in the garden. This perennial stands out for its self-supporting, bushy growth and beautiful blue-purple flowers, making it a popular choice for gardeners. It provides a long season of interest with its abundant blooms and attractive foliage.
Understanding ‘New Love’ Clematis
‘New Love’ Clematis is an herbaceous clematis, behaving more like a sub-shrub than a traditional climbing vine. This variety features a non-clinging, upright, and bushy growth with sturdy, self-supporting stems. It typically reaches 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Its flowering period extends from mid-summer through early fall, producing small clusters of fragrant, blue-purple, bell-shaped or tubular flowers. These blooms, often described as indigo or lavender-blue, stand out against its mid-green leaves.
Planting and Site Selection
Successful establishment of ‘New Love’ Clematis begins with careful site selection and proper planting. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least four to six hours of sunlight daily. While its foliage enjoys sun, its roots prefer to remain cool and shaded; this can be achieved by planting low-growing perennials nearby or adding a layer of pebbles or flat stones around the base. It prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
When planting, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and just as deep, loosening the surrounding soil. Position the plant so the top of the root ball is about 3 inches below the soil level, which encourages new shoots from the base. Backfill the hole, gently tamp it down, and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Adding well-rotted manure or garden compost during preparation improves soil structure and fertility.
Ongoing Care Essentials
After planting, consistent care helps ‘New Love’ Clematis flourish. Regular watering is important, especially during dry spells and throughout its first growing season, to establish a robust root system. Check soil moisture by feeling 2 to 3 inches down; if dry, water. A good rule of thumb is to water once or twice weekly, ensuring ample moisture without waterlogging.
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to support healthy new growth and abundant flowering. Monitor for common garden pests and diseases. Maintaining proper air circulation around the plant helps prevent fungal issues.
Pruning ‘New Love’ Clematis
Pruning is important for ‘New Love’ Clematis, as it belongs to Pruning Group 3. This group flowers on new wood produced in the current growing season. The most effective time for pruning is late winter or early spring, typically around February or March, just before new growth begins.
To prune, cut back all previous year’s stems hard to a pair of strong buds, approximately 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) above ground level. This cut stimulates vigorous new growth from the base, which produces abundant flowers. If left unpruned, Group 3 clematis can become a tangled mass with blooms appearing only at the top.
Creative Landscape Uses
The unique growth habit of ‘New Love’ Clematis makes it a versatile plant for various garden designs. Its upright form allows it to be used as a standalone shrub, adding structure and color to mixed borders. It can also serve as an effective groundcover, creating a dense mound of foliage and flowers.
This clematis performs well in containers, bringing its attractive blue-purple blooms to patios or balconies. Gardeners can incorporate it into cottage garden schemes, where its free-flowering nature complements other perennials. Its upright posture without support offers design flexibility, allowing it to spill over walls or integrate seamlessly into existing plantings.
Addressing Common Challenges
While ‘New Love’ Clematis is generally robust, gardeners may encounter a few common issues. Clematis wilt is a fungal disease that causes stems and leaves to suddenly wilt and die back. The roots are often unaffected, and new shoots may emerge from below ground. If wilt occurs, promptly cut back and destroy affected stems to ground level, and sterilize pruning tools to prevent spread.
Other issues include fungal problems like leaf spot or powdery mildew, which can be mitigated by ensuring good air circulation and appropriate watering. Physical damage to stems, such as from grazing invertebrates or strong winds, can also lead to wilting symptoms. Providing adequate moisture and avoiding overly wet or dry soil conditions helps maintain overall plant health.