Growing Clematis - Tips For Care Of Clematis

For proper care of clematis, clematis vines prefer sunny locations (at least six hours of sun needed for blooming) but the soil should be kept cool. An easy way to accomplish this is by planting some type of ground cover or shallow-rooted perennial plants around the clematis.

Should you pinch out tips of clematis?

To encourage bushy growth of clematis, pinch out shoot tips early in the season. Tie in shoots regularly during the growing season, aiming to make sure stems are spread out to cover bare areas.

How do I make my clematis bushier?

Plant hostas, or other low-growing plants, at the base of clematis vines to provide shade for their roots, or mulch with straw to keep the roots cool. Prune clematis vines that bloom on new wood in the summer to the desired height in late winter or early spring.

How can I make my clematis bloom better?

One recommended fertilizer for clematis is Espoma Rose and Flower Food (4-3-2), which is an organic, slow-release fertilizer. With it's 4-3-2 formula, Rose-tone is not too high in nitrogen, making it suitable for boosting flowers in roses and clematis and other flowering plants.

What is the best compost for clematis?

The best clematis compost is John Innes No. 3 mixed with a good multi-purpose compost about 3 parts John Innes to 1 part multi-purpose. Plant the top of the clematis root deeper in the new container by about 3 inches.

Is Clematis a sun or shade?

Ideally it's a sunny spot. Though some clematis cultivars will bloom in partial shade (such as Nellie Moser and Henryii), to reach their full potential they need at least six hours of sun each day. Clematis prefer moist, well-drained soil that's neutral to slightly alkaline in pH.

Is Miracle Gro a good fertilizer for clematis?

Clematis plants are heavy feeders and respond well to constant feeding. Two weeks or so after planting, apply a well-balanced liquid feed fertilizer, such as Fish Emulsion or Miracle-Gro, and continue to do so every 2 weeks from April through the end of July according to label directions.

What can I feed my clematis with?

Clematis are greedy plants that need feeding to keep them flowering prolifically. So every spring mulch generously and feed with a handful of sulphate of potash. In summer apply liquid feed every 2-3 weeks or sprinkle two doses of general feed such as blood, fish and bone between May and early August.

Does clematis like lots of water?

A clematis vine requires about 1 inch of water weekly from rain or irrigation, but these needs can change depending on temperature and soil quality. Sandy or fast-draining soil may require more frequent watering, while heavier soil may drain more slowly and require less.

Does clematis like coffee grounds?

Clematis eat a lot and should be fed supplements like this from February through September. ... You can also feed them coffee grounds in the same manner as you would a rose plant (See post on coffee & roses). Clematis seems to love the same nutrients that roses love.

Do I deadhead clematis?

Deadhead spent flowers for another series of blooms, though they will likely be smaller than the first, as these appear on new growth. When deadheading the first blooms, as much as 12 to 18 inches of stem can be removed. This rejuvenates the plant and is often the best means of pruning clematis vines.

Is bone meal good for clematis?

Fertilize your clematis in fall with bonemeal to encourage root growth. Use approximately 1 ounce of bonemeal per square foot of area around the vine.

What is the best flowering clematis?

Climbing clematis are wonderfully showy plants that produce huge blooms over a long period.

Clematis florida 'Alba Plena' ...
Clematis 'Etoile Violette' ...
Clematis 'Kingfisher' ...
Clematis 'Picardy' ...
Clematis 'Princess Diana' ...
Clematis 'Carmencita' ...
Clematis viticella 'Jolly Jake' ...
Clematis 'Chatsworth'

What month does clematis bloom?

Most herbaceous clematis flower during the summer, while climbing clematis are roughly divided into three groups: Winter and spring-flowering. Early-summer-flowering (also known as twice-flowering as many produce a flush of flowers in late spring/early summer and another in late summer) Late summer and autumn-flowering.

Should Clematis be cut back every year?

Clematis are the easiest to prune, since you basically cut the whole thing down! ... This means that each year in March you should prune back all the stems to just about 12 inches off the ground to make way for the new growth. This group will come back strong and will bloom on the new wood each year.

What is a Group 3 clematis?

Group 3 Clematis include the later flowering clematis, whether they be large-flowered hybrids such as Gipsy Queen or the smaller viticellas, orientalis, tangutica and texensis groups. The key is that these plants all flower on the new season's growth.

Can I plant clematis in multi purpose compost?

Potting Composts for Growing Clematis in Containers

Soil based potting compost is best for growing clematis in containers. However John Innes No. 3 compost can be improved by adding 50% by volume of a peat free compost to it. This will 'open up' the structure and a lead to a healthier root system.

Is tomato feed good for clematis?

Clematis grown in soil may be fed by application of a lightly dug-in mulch in spring but the more popular method is an occasional application of a liquid feed (e.g. proprietary tomato or rose feed) during the peak growing spring/early summer months.

What can I plant next to clematis?

Clematis pair well with all kinds of plants, including annuals, perennials and even trees and shrubs.

Roses. Combining clematis with roses is a classic combination. ...
Trees. ...
Perennials. ...
Annuals. ...
Groundcover roses. ...
Grasses. ...
Shade-loving veg.

How do you train a clematis trellis?

Here are three great ways on how to train clematis: 1) Trellis on a wall: Plant 4-6" away from the trellis so roots have room. Tie the vines onto the trellis loosely with twine, panty hose loops, or gardener's wire. 2) Plant against a wall: Mark your first hook on the wall, about 1/3 the eventual height of the plant.

What can I plant at the bottom of my clematis?

Clematis prefer growing in full sun which makes the area around the base of the plant an ideal spot for growing a variety of edible plants such as lettuce, chives or basil. Lettuce comes in colors that range from shades of green and red to almost black.