Specialist Clematis growers

Derek - if you buy plants online, I can recommend Taylor's Clematis. Strong plants and fast service.

Yes, I agree - or Thorncrofts. I've used both.

Thank you Andrew and Spritz, if I can't find any locally, I'll try them, I'll have a look at the sites anyway, Derek.

Yes, they do seem to be difficult to find. I had two absolute beauties at my old house.i left all the plants int the garden as the purchasers insisted they wanted the garden to stay as it was because they like gardening. A few months later, all the plants had gone from the large front garden and it's covered in block pavers like a car park with space for 12/15 cars. Such a shame. Mind you, not sure they would like my claggy clay.

Hi Paul, it sounds as if they're gardeners, but only if their soil is like potting compost, 12/15 cars, that must have been a massive garden, Derek.

IT was huge fr a front garden Derek...and, although I say it myself.......many people used to admire all the colour as they walked past(it was on a corner) .and, I loved being out there and chatting to passers by/neighbours.It was a huge task to dig and plant it then maintain it for 10 years but it was a labour of love.
I can't understand why they would want so much hard standing area I front of the house and now they have staretdexteodning the house into the back garden and the side garden where my verb patch/potting shed were is more like a builders yard now.Oh well, each to his own.
I've now started all over again in my new but much smaller garden!

Hi Paul, sounds beautiful, and you should be rightly proud of it, they probably thought the same when they first saw it, which is why they asked you to leave it as it was, then they found out what hard work a garden takes to keep it looking good, they probably thought they wouldn't have to do anything, and it would just stay looking good, {if only}, but there again, it would be very boring, but I wouldn't like all that paving, Derek.

No....I'd find it very depressing and, not good for the rain water running awY either.

Hi Derek .. how are the skimmias coming along ?
Made the trip worthwhile ?

Hi Tt, they're doing well, the smaller 1 has caught up, and they're both full of buds, which they will be for a few months, and then the flowers, definitely made the trip worthwhile, Derek.

That's good to know, Derek .. I like skimmias.

Thanks Tt, yes they give a good show, and a lovely scent, just when you need something don't they, Derek.

Definitely Taylors Derek...every time. Although, having said that, I bought a very tiny rooted cutting of the White Winter Flowering Clematis 'Winter Beauty' from an online firm that I don't usually go near, just because it was cheap. It's taking ages to get established, I should have kept it in the greenhouse for a year or so, but being impatient, I planted it straight in the ground. But its growing well now and I might get a flower later, you never know. But yes, for the heracleifolia types etc. you're much better to buy online, and Taylors are definitely my favourites....they are in Doncaster which is not so dissimilar in climate to here, whereas lots of the others are very southerly, and sometimes plants really do object to coming so far North so suddenly!

Hi Karen, thanks for that, Doncaster is probably about the same conditions I have here as well, as I'm very exposed on the pennines, I'll have a look after Christmas, {specially if I get some gift vouchers} Derek.

Derek - I've got my relations trained to give my Garden Centre vouchers!

Hi Andrew, I wish I had, some of them invariably come up with something they would like themselves, I just smile and say thank you, Derek.