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Growing Clematis

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CLEMATIS
Rumor has it that clematis vine is difficult to grow. Given the right location and a little know-how clematis is a relatively easy vine to grow which will reward you with a beautiful splash of color when in bloom. Clematis is grown in many parts of the world and comes in a rainbow of colors and unusual shapes and sizes.

clematis
Culture
Since they like cool, moist roots and their heads in the sun, plant them in full sun or filtered shade in a rich organic, well-drained soil with a ph around 7.0. Dig a hole that is 18″ deep and 18″ wide. It should be large enough to set the crown 2-2 1/2 inches deeper than its original container. This will help promote good root development and a stockier plant. Add organic material or compost to enrich the soil. Clematis can be planted with shallow rooted companion plants (annuals & perennials) so that they can shade/mulch the roots during the hot summer months. Water deeply and regularly during the growing season especially in hot weather to maintain moist roots. Clematis are heavy feeders, fertilize in early spring when buds are 2 inches long then every 4-6 weeks with a rose food except when flowering. Be sure to provide some kind of support for the vines to grow and climb on.

Pruning
It is important to prune Clematis to keep it in bloom. Different types of Clematis have different pruning times. If your clematis flowers before end of June, it blooms on old wood (last year’s growth) don’t prune in the spring, cut out only dead stems to the highest new leaf axils, just above a pair of swollen fuzzy buds. Prune early bloomers after flowering. Remove dead flowers and cut the length of the stems to force new growth. For late bloomers, those that bloom on new wood (current year’s growth) prune in early spring before new growth starts and cut vines 6-12 inches above the ground to encourage vigorous new growth and continuous flowering throughout the season.

sweet autumn clematis
All new plants should be pruned hard to 12-18″ the first spring after planting to establish good base growth.
When you plant a Clematis be sure to note what variety it is so that you’ll know when to prune it.

Sources: Chicagoland Gardening Mag.

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10 Comments on Growing Clematis»

  1. Last fall I planted two sweet autum clematis. They grew to about 2 foot tall and have stopped. The planting spot is sunny, I have watered and fed. What should I do to get these vines to grow and flower? Thanks!

    Sweet autumn clematis prefer to have their feet in the shade and the foliage in the sun. They usually grow like a weed when conditions are right. You may need to transplant it to a new spot where the roots stay cool during the growing season eg: at the base of a tree, even a shade of a rock. Plant it in well- drained soil. A layer of mulch will help keep the soil cool and moist. Prune back last years growth 6-12 inches above the ground in the spring this will encourage a bushier and healthier vine . Unlike other clematis, “Sweet Autmn” blooms on the current season’s wood so you don’t have to worry about pruning at the wrong time.

    Comment by Kris — 7/9/2006 @ 2:49 pm

  2. 8-21-06

    I have a question about my clematis vine. The flowers are little pinkish/purple ones but there are these huge pod-like green things growing too, what are they? Theresa

    If the pod-like green things look like a furry ball with silky tails radiating from the center then it is the seeds head that is produced after the flower is done blooming. If not it may be some other vine seed pod that has chosen to join your clematis. Kris

    Comment by Theresa — 12/4/2006 @ 3:05 pm

  3. Kris, I have a question about our clematis. We live in WA state and it’s about 3 years old now and does great. Only thing the leaves seem to turn brown too fast, like when the flowers are in bloom. It is planted deep, but I am wondering am I not watering it deep enough? I do use Miracle grow on it, is this wrong?
    It is growing good now, but just starting to spread out.
    Thanks! JoAnne

    Hi JoAnne,

    It’s possible that you are not watering it deep enough. During the hot summer, clematis need to be watered regularly and deeply but at the same time make sure the soil drains well and doesn’t stay too wet or it will cause a fungal disease (wilt). Mulch the plant to keep the roots cool and moist during the summer.Miracle grow is fine

    Comment by JoAnne Folsom — 4/27/2007 @ 1:07 pm

  4. In you web-site you mentioned fertilizing with a Rose food. I feed all of my roses 10-20-10 and want to know if this is okay for my Clematis and how much.

    Diane

    Your rose fertilizer should be fine as long as the first number(Nitrogen) is low. Feed your clematis every 4 weeks. Stop feeding when the plant sets buds, resume after flowering. Also discontinue feeding in early August to get it ready for the winter. Use the same amount recommended for the roses.

    Comment by Diane Parks — 6/24/2007 @ 2:23 pm

  5. I live at Fargo, North Dakota how do I prepare my clematis for the winter months? Do I cut it back or just cover the roots well? Thank you Cheryl Long

    You can mulch the roots especially if it is a new plant that isn’t as established as a mature vine. Mulching will provide some insulation and protection from fluctuating winter temperatures. Any pruning if it hasn’t been done by now should be done in winter or early spring. You need to determine what time of year your clematis blooms in order to prune. See above article.

    Comment by cheryllong — 9/7/2007 @ 5:43 pm

  6. GREAT, ESPECIALLY FOR A NOVICE CYCLAMEN GROWER.

    Comment by Frances Slaght — 12/13/2007 @ 10:43 am

  7. Are you supposed to deadhead an spring to fall blooming Clematis?

    If you have a young plant you may want to pinch off the spent flowers to keep them from producing seedheads. Seed production drains a lot of energy from a young plant. By cutting off the seedhead you can get more flowers and sometimes (depending on the variety) a second smaller blooming later in the season. If you have an older established clematis, then deadheading is not necessary unless you find the seedhead unattractive .More info on deadheading

    Comment by Cheryl — 1/15/2008 @ 1:56 pm

  8. 2007-10-23 Reba Adams
    I have a clematis that is planted in a bed next to our concrete drive-way. It blooms once in the early spring, and then nothing. The vine turns brown. It does have sun most of the afternoon. What do I need to do to have a healthy plant all summer?

    The location may be the problem. A concrete driveway and afternoon sun can get pretty hot in the summer. Clematis like their roots to be cool and shaded. Try

    mulching it and make sure it gets enough water.

    Comment by Reba Adams — 2/21/2008 @ 3:29 pm

  9. I have a Clematis ‘Vanso’, planted it last spring. Don’t know if I should prune it back this spring. There are already signs of budding on the old vine and new growth coming from the ground.

    Hi Kay
    Your clematis ‘Vanso’ belongs to group 2 for pruning technique. This means it blooms on old wood (last year’s growth). Prune in late winter/e. spring down to 20 inches the first year and 30″ the second year. This will help establish a good growing base for future growth. After that just prune in early spring to shape the plant if it gets too big (cut back last yr’s growth up to 12″) and remove any dead material that is above swollen buds. Hope this helps.

    Comment by Kay Boll — 3/28/2008 @ 10:55 am

  10. I have a large blooming clematis that produces the flowers right on the vine without a stem for the flower. Also the first few flowers were right at ground level. The flower was the first thing showing, with no vine in sight. Is this normal? I pinched off the flower on the ground to encourage the vine.

    I have not seen this type of blooming but there are many types of clematis. Perhaps the vine was partly buried and only the flower showed. Pinching it was a good idea but now wait and see what happens.

    Comment by Sheila Horspool — 4/15/2008 @ 4:05 pm

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