Featured Roseville Blog: 'Henryi' Stole My Heart

Roses are my passion, but the love of my garden life is the genus Clematis. 

I was smitten long ago by the velvet, royal purple of the old standby 'Jackmanii', (1858).  I'd see this striking plant on a trellis, or on the side of a house, maybe with some rose bushes at the base or lilies blooming in front.  For some reason, I never tried growing this plant.  Maybe, back then they were more expensive, maybe I felt the ones I could afford were so small it would take them too long to develop.

It was the late 1970s while visiting in Missouri that I became a true lover of Clematis.  It was 'Henryi' who stole my heart.  My uncle had 'Henryi' climbing a trellis on the corner of his garage.  The vine covered that corner from the ground to the roof with huge white blossoms centered with maroon stamens.  It was a spectacular sight.

Uncle Jim said Clematis weren't difficult to grow.  I could do it.  You need to know my uncle was an accomplished gardener, still, I believed him.  He had taught me how to grow other plants.

Said he, "Just buy a small plant in the spring, dig a hole, settle the roots in so it gets a good start, water it well and don't let it get too dry, give it a little fertilizer every six weeks or so and watch it grow.  You may need to put a cage around it so the  rabbits don't eat it before it gets a good start. Throw some leaves or extra mulch on it the first winter.  It will come back next spring just fine."

I didn't start with 'Henryi' - I would have been devastated if that plant hadn't grown - so I started with a 'Jackmanii'.  It grew, it flowered, it was lovely. 

Next I tried 'Comtesse de Bouchaard' (1900), a late blooming clematis with 4 to 5 inch, mid-pink flowers and creamy yellow anthers.  She has grown very well for me year after year.  I think I've had this plant about 18 years and it comes back every season. She is a favorite.

Now I was ready to try "my love."  'Henryi' has been around since 1855.  With all the newer varieties coming out during te 20th century it was sometimes difficult to find the older plants. 

I've tried several of the newer ones, 21st century even, not always with good results.  About ten years ago I found a small plant of 'Henryi'.  About the same time I found a large metal tower and planted it over this very small plant.

I still have 'Henryi', the tower is long gone having collapsed under the weight of the 10 foot specimen that often climbs into the closest tree.  This variety prefers to be pruned lightly, but last year after overcoming an 8 foot large iron sunflower, I pruned him heavily.  With all our rain and sunshine - he's doing just fine.  He is still the love of my life - my gardening life.