A New (but very old) Pelargonium Reference
The International Geranium Society is distributing a CD-ROM of Geraniaceae The Natural Order of Gerania  by Robert Sweet.  The 1,558 pages of the 5 volumes written between 1820 and 1830 have been photographed in full color by a dedicated member of the society.  In the past, plant enthusiasts had to seek out these rare volumes in order to research or simply enjoy the text and drawings, but we now have the option of having the pages (including the fabulous 500 color plates) conveniently on our computers.  What a great contribution!  For purchase information contact the International Geranium Society at PO Box 92734, Pasadena, CA  91109-2734.

Clematis in Texas
Who doesn’t drool over garden catalog photographs of clematis with names such as ‘Crystal Fountain’, ‘Ville de Lyon’, or ‘Silver Moon’?  But, many Austin gardeners attempting to grow these hybrids find themselves in tears when rains stop and temperatures soar.  It can be done, but why not find some more easily grown types for your Austin garden.  Quickly covering the street side arch at Horsetail Haven is Clematis armandii.  Following the cliché of vine growth - sleep, creep, leap - three years after planting, this evergreen vine with elongated, glossy leaves is giving hopes of a springtime cloud of fragrant white flowers.  Last year there were only two bloom clusters but hopefully this year will be spectacular.  The Southern Living Garden Book advises pruning after flowering to prevent buildup of dead branches beneath the active growth.  Native to Southwestern China, Clematis armandii grows well in light shade in Texas and is not as invasive as the more common Sweet Autumn Clematis.  The latter also grows at Horsetail Haven and the heady fragrance makes it worth having, but only for gardeners willing to prune it completely to the ground in the spring and pull seedlings as they appear.

Sources give estimates of 230-250 species of Clematis worldwide.  Of the thirteen Texas natives, three are common in the Austin area.  Clematis drummondii is quite showy in the fall when clusters of seeds with long, white, silky threads make it obvious why it is called "old man’s beard".  It can become invasive, but is a food source for Fatal Metalmark Butterfly larva.  Less showy are Clematis pitcheri (purple leatherflower) and Clematis texensis (scarlet leatherflower).  With dainty, urn shaped blossoms (actually sepals, the true flowers are petal less) these well mannered plants add vining charm to small spaces.  Both need to be planted in well draining soil.  One source claims that the scarlet leatherflower is the only true red clematis in existence.