Clematis "Piilu": description, rules of cultivation and breeding

Clematis "Piilu" is a beautiful perennial plant used in vertical gardening, when decorating loggias, balconies, terraces. The description of a variety allows you to get a complete picture of its external data. But the solution to growing problems often remains a mystery for a novice grower.

What pruning group is assigned to clematis of this variety? How should planting and caring for him take place in the open field? What diseases and pests threaten the beauty of the plant? You should know about all this in advance, before an exotic guest appears on your site.

The Piilu clematis variety can be called relatively new - its selection was carried out at the end of the 20th century by an enthusiast from Estonia named Uno Kivistik. The efforts were not in vain. Having stood the test of time, this large-flowered hybrid cultivar has gained international fame. And its name - Piilu, translated as "little duck", sounds today in the mouths of the most eminent flower growers.

Clematis of this variety were obtained on the basis of another species, it is called "Sprawling". The hybrid variety is distinguished by its ability to form flower buds from the first year. On plants that bloom for the first time, the buds have a single-row arrangement of petals. Their number varies from 4 to 6.

Among the distinctive features of "Piilu" clematis are:

• a small height of shoots - only 90-150 cm, depending on the climate;
• climbing type of plant, therefore, for proper growth, it needs support;
• color range of buds from pastel lilac to pale pink;
• the presence of a characteristic bright pink stripe in the middle of the flower;
• deep yellow stamens;
• waviness of the edges of the petal;
• the large size of the flower bowl is up to 12 cm with full disclosure.

The flowering of the plant can be called quite abundant. It takes place in 2 waves or more, begins in late spring and lasts until October-November. Clematis "Piilu" of the first year of life blooms later. After 7 years of life, due to the intensive growth of roots, the plant needs additional nutrition, otherwise the size of the buds will gradually decrease.

The Piilu clematis variety is considered frost-resistant - it is successfully grown in the climate of Siberia and the Urals. The plant tolerates frost well enough, is able to overwinter when the temperature drops to -34 degrees Celsius. In a temperate climatic zone, this perennial also does well enough. Its drought resistance is low, the plant needs regular watering, with a lack of water, it can shed leaves and buds.

The process of planting clematis varieties "Piilu" is always associated with the need to choose the right place for vertical gardening of the territory. This climbing plant requires a shaded area to avoid fading green foliage. The best choice is the openwork shade of taller bushes or trees. Nearby you can place a lawn, a flower garden of low height.With a single planting, a special support is installed next to the clematis, with a group planting, trellises are used.

The optimal period of time for Piilu to root in the soil is selected based on the climatic zone. In the south, this can be done in the fall. In the regions of Siberia and the Urals - only in the spring, this will ensure a more successful rooting of the plant.

When choosing a place where clematis "Piilu" will be rooted, it is imperative to retreat from the nearest building 40 cm, from the fence - 20 cm. It is recommended not to select areas of soil with closely located groundwater. The soil is pre-loosened, fertilized with compost. With an open root system, the plant needs to be soaked in a growth promoter before planting.

The process of placing this type of clematis on the site should be carried out step by step.

1. Form holes in the ground, placed at least 80 cm apart, with a diameter of at least 50-70 cm and the same depth.
2. The bottom of the resulting pit is drained, and fertile soil is laid on top. The prepared hole is watered.
3. In the central part of the hole, a support is installed or a trellis support is mounted along the row. An elevation is formed in the center of the hole.
4. The seedling is dipped in a pre-prepared talker on a mineral-clay basis. You need to let the rhizome dry out a little.
5. Place clematis in the hole, fix with previously removed soil to the level of the root collar, tamp the soil at the base of the trunk, water again.
6. Fasten the stitches to the support using twine. A pad in the form of a piece of foam will help prevent damage to the delicate bark.

Upon completion of planting, the root area is mulched with dry bark or grass. You can plant moss at the base of the hole, sow calendula or lawn grass seeds. This will protect the plant from excessive moisture loss.

Once the Piilu garden clematis is planted in an open field or container, it needs standard care to keep the plant in good condition. The beautifully blooming species looks really attractive in landscape compositions. But he will be able to maintain his decorative effect only under the condition of properly organized watering and feeding.

The mode of maintaining optimal soil moisture is a key point in the cultivation of clematis. It is very important to monitor the condition of the soil after wintering. For example, with a low amount of precipitation in the spring, irrigation is required to saturate the roots with moisture. Further, before the onset of the summer heat, artificial humidification is usually not required.

At least 1-2 times a week, 1-4 buckets of water are applied at the root. It is necessary to carry out procedures in the evening to ensure slow evaporation of moisture. The water is preheated in the sun.

During the first year of life, "Piilu" clematis does not need additional feeding. In the future, fertilizers are applied according to a certain scheme, 4 times during the period from spring to autumn. The optimal periods for this are:

• the beginning of the growing season, the time of bud formation;
• time of bud formation;
• May-June, when the first flowering wave takes place;
• autumn months before the onset of frost.

Clematis of this variety need both organic and mineral fertilizers.

The "Piilu" variety clematis is characterized by a high resistance to the development of diseases characteristic of this type.They almost never show signs of damage by powdery mildew or gray mold, rust is also extremely rare. The danger for Piilu is a spider mite that parasitizes plants and sucks out juices from them. In addition, developed roots can attract a bear, mice, and worms - nematodes.

In the fight against pests that hunt for leaves and roots, clematis bushes "Piilu" need throughout the warm season. For this, prophylactic treatment with fungicidal preparations is carried out. In the furrows between the landings, there are traps from bears and mice.

Piilu is a hybrid clematis variety assigned to the 2nd pruning group. It means that the culture is able to form flowering shoots during the first year of its life and continues to do so at any age. Accordingly, pruning can and should be used in an effort to achieve the most lush flowering from the plant. There are a number of rules by which this event is held.

1. Shoots are not shortened too intensively - it is customary to leave 50-100 cm from the ground.
2. Pruning is planned for the fall.
3. Old bushes are rejuvenated. For this, all old branches are cut off, only young, healthy and strong clematis lashes are left.
4. In young plants, pruning is replaced by pinching. In this case, the first procedure is carried out when the height of the bush is no more than 30 cm. The second pinching will take place upon reaching the 60-70 cm mark. For the third time, an adult plant that has reached the maximum height is pinched.

Despite the general cold resistance, the Piilu clematis still needs preparation for wintering. For its implementation, it is recommended to choose a dry day with a temperature of about 0 degrees. First, the plant is completely freed from the deciduous cover, then it is subjected to sanitary pruning, removing dead and dry branches. If necessary, crown formation is performed.

In the dry autumn period, it is worthwhile, in preparation for winter, to water by adding 1 bucket of water under the root of clematis. Further, the root collar is covered with wood ash powder, the bush is sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate. Dry humus or compost in a volume of 10-12 liters is introduced under the base of the trunk to protect it from freezing.

In cold climatic zones, the surface of the plant is additionally covered. Sand is poured onto the compost, laid under the root, and the lashes removed from the support are tied with twine. Clematis prepared in this way bend to the surface of the soil, covered with spruce branches, fallen dry leaves, and the soil is poured on top with a layer of at least 25 cm.

The Piilu hybrid climbing clematis supports reproduction in a variety of ways. The following techniques are possible.

• Planting seed. The longest way that does not guarantee positive results. Before sowing, it is recommended to freeze the seeds for 1.5 hours, then immerse them in a growth stimulator for 120 minutes. Next, the planting material is rinsed with clean water, dried, placed in a specially selected container under the film, and sent to a dark room (cabinet).

• Cuttings. A cut obliquely cut with a small area of ​​the bark of the mother plant is planted in a prepared container and watered abundantly. Before rooting, the plant is kept in a warm place, watering is carried out only by sprinkling through a sprayer, every 2 days.

• Division of the bush. An adult plant with a well-formed root system is dug out of the ground, divided into several elements. The resulting parts are planted in the ground in the usual way. At first, you need to monitor the condition of the plant.

• Clematis Piilu in a clay pot acts as a decorative decoration in the recreation area near the house. A lush bush is formed using a special frame.

• Clematis varieties "Piilu" in the first year after planting. The flowers are not yet double, the plant is just beginning to twine around the trellis, on which its shoots are fixed.

• A lush clematis bush on a trellis. In the presented variant of planting, pale undersized roses and wild flowers are adjacent to a creeping perennial.

How to plant climatis in open ground, see below.