It all started in a greenhouse in Kennett Square. Dan Long started Brushwood Nursery 25 years ago to sell his plants on eBay. While his business boomed, he had to move down to Georgia in 2010 where to this current day ships more than 6,000 orders a year, writes Margaret Roach for The New York Times.  

Long’s specialty is the Clematis flower, of which he has over 400 kinds. For most varieties, gardeners must wait until late spring. The large-flowered hybrids like the white Henryi, and red Niobe are among the most common. Some can be bought earlier such as the alpina and Clematis montana.  

They can bloom as big as 10 inches across and can live up to 50 years. These big bloomers can grow up fences, climb up walls, and turn into shrubs. For example, some varieties can grow up to 10 feet.  

However, there are non-vining types, which are known as “blooming machines.” The most distinctive kind is of the purple complexion.  

“Some people really like that fresh purple, so they’ll cut it back when the foliage fades to greener, just to get more of the darker color,” said Mr. Long. 

Read more about these abundant flowers in The New York Times.  

Dr. Allan Armitage talks about Clematis from Brushwood Nursery.