From Book News, Inc.
Beutler, a clematis specialist in Portland, Oregon, has written a knowledgeable and enjoyable guide to garden design that features the many varieties of clematis in the garden, with separate chapters--and many photos--on the clematis featured by itself and in companion plantings with other varieties, with roses, woody shrubs, and herbaceous perennials. Tips are given on garden design as a whole and the care, feeding, pruning, and grooming of the plant. An appendix is included on the common clematis groups.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Book Description
Clematis are among the more versatile and diverse plants for any garden; few flowers can fill so many garden niches, from specimen plants to dwarf perennials, or container selections to multistory vines. Wherever they are found, their blooms never fail to induce rapture and awe. The carefully chosen clematis can't be equaled when planted in the right situation and pruned in the right way, but horticultural horrors can ensue when beginners (or experts) overreach and force plants where they do not belong. Linda Beutler provides instructions for newcomers and master gardeners alike on plant selection, cultivation, and design, and debunks a few myths along the way. With a distinct nod to the wonderful traditions for growing clematis in the British Isles and Europe, she may be the first author to provide a distinctly American perspective on the subject. In sparkling and delightful prose, Beutler treats a multitude of subjects, including growing clematis as companion plants, combining different clematis in the garden, clematis in containers, manipulating bloom time with pruning, and much, much more. Filled with 115 beautiful photographs and the incalculable wisdom of hard-won experience, Gardening with Clematis will be required reading for all adventurous gardeners.


From the Inside Flap
Clematis are among the more versatile and diverse plants for any garden; few flowers can fill so many garden niches, from specimen plants to dwarf perennials, or container selections to multistory vines. Wherever they are found, their blooms never fail to induce rapture and awe. The carefully chosen clematis can't be equaled when planted in the right situation and pruned in the right way, but horticultural horrors can ensue when beginners (or experts) overreach and force plants where they do not belong. Linda Beutler provides instructions for newcomers and master gardeners alike on plant selection, cultivation, and design, and debunks a few myths along the way. With a distinct nod to the wonderful traditions for growing clematis in the Britsh Isles and Europe, the author may be the first author to provide a distinctly American perspective on the subject.With a unique combination of talents as a floral designer, garden designer, plantswoman, and unabashed clematis obsessive (she has over 250 types of clematis in her own garden), Beutler is uniquely suited to address all aspects of clematis planting and care. In sparkling and delightful prose, she treats a multitude of subjects, including growing clematis as companion plants, combining different clematis in the garden, clematis and roses, clematis with woody shrubs, herbaceous clematis, clematis in containers, manipulating bloom time with pruning, and much, much more. Filled with 115 beautiful photographs and the incalculable wisdom of hard-won experience, Gardening with Clematis will be required reading for all adventurous gardeners.


About the Author
Linda Beutler works as a floral designer and garden consultant. She is an officer of the Pacific Northwest Clematis Society, and is active in both the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon and the International Clematis Society. She lectures on numerous garden topics throughout the country, and instructs in horticulture at Clackamas Community College. Her gardening articles have appeared in several journals and magazines. She lives in Portland, Oregon.


Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Because the overall texture of most of the early large-flowered hybrids is the same, we look to contrasts in both sepal and stamen color to make a pretty picture. Penny Vogel, of Estacada Oregon, Is paricularly adept at this sort of combination. Her garden, Kinzy Faire, is co-owned by Millie Kiggins, and together they have devised many ways of growing clematis and getting the flowers together.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Clematis are among the more versatile and diverse plants for any garden. Linda Beutler provides instructions for newcomers and master gardeners alike on plant selection, cultivation, and design, and debunks a few myths along the way. With a distinct nod to the traditions for growing clematis in the British Isles and Europe, the author may be the first author to provide a distinctly American perspective on the subject.

SYNOPSIS