Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the 200th Episode!

00:29 Meet Dan Long: Clematis Expert

01:12 Understanding Clematis: Pronunciation and Varieties

04:15 Growing Clematis in the Southeast

05:13 Troubleshooting Clematis Issues

06:24 Choosing the Right Clematis for Your Garden

10:08 Clematis Hybridization and New Discoveries

11:47 Native Clematis in the U.S.

13:04 Dan Long's Plant Exploration Adventures

15:27 Debunking Clematis Myths

17:14 Clematis Care Tips and Container Gardening

20:54 Brushwood Nursery: Behind the Scenes

27:24 Dan Long's Personal Gardening Journey

33:23 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

Welcome to the 200^th episode of The Garden Question Podcast, where our goal has been to help you dive deep into designing, building, and growing a smarter garden that works. I appreciate you and hope that you’re always inspired by each episode whether you’re a beginner or an expert!

Today, we’re climbing to new heights—literally—with one of the most versatile and underappreciated plants in the garden: clematis. Our guest, Dan Long, is a leading authority on clematis and other climbing vines. As the owner of Brushwood Nursery and vice president of the International Clematis Society, Dan has spent decades studying, cultivating, and introducing new clematis varieties to gardeners across the U.S.

He is a past instructor at Longwood Gardens, authored several articles on the subject and for over 20 years brought a new level of understanding and enjoyment to a typically under-appreciated class of landscape plants.

In this episode, Dan untangles the mysteries of clematis, from pronunciation debates—yes, both clematis and clematis are correct—to selecting the best varieties for your garden. He shares expert advice on growing conditions, pruning techniques, and foolproof selections for the Southeast. We’ll also explore native U.S. species, exciting hybrid breakthroughs, and how container gardening can make clematis accessible to any space.

Get ready to be inspired by Dan’s passion for climbers, his insights from over 30 years in the nursery industry, and how you can bring these stunning vines into your own garden.

We are Celebrating our 200^th episode by Exploring Clematis – Dan Long.

I’m your host Craig McManus.