", "Great article. ", Unlock this expert answer by supporting wikiHow. I want the flowers to cover the trellis and not just be all at the top. Very well done. Powdery mildew often affects plants with poor air circulation. Can my clematis be left in the pot for the winter? Support wikiHow by Water in the morning, rather than in the evening, so that the water has time to dry and be absorbed before night falls. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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. Clematis plants need plenty of space for adequate air flow as well as a rich, well-draining planting area. The clematis will grow up the branches without harming the "companion" shrub or tree. Really makes them healthier and bloom better. ", All the details given here will certainly help! Dig a hole several inches deeper than the pot the clematis came in, and add compost and fertilizer to the soil in the hole. In early spring, surround the plant with a shovelful of compost and a handful of granular organic fertilizer. Be sure the support you provide isn't too wide for the leaf stems to reach around. Arbors may be more suitable for growing larger types, which can get 8 to 12 feet. This will help if the clematis gets struck with wilt or a fungus that causes the entire vine to die back. You should dig the hole large enough to accommodate the plant, with most recommendations suggesting at least a two foot depth of soil amended with compost prior to planting. ", gorgeous blooms, to my great surprise! The type of support system is usually dependent on the variety grown. ", clematis plants, and this article was a huge help. Clematis plants need plenty of space for adequate air flow as well as a rich, well-draining planting area. This article has been viewed 138,200 times. If you can't find a spot with groundcover, you can plant it later or mulch 4 in (10.2 cm) deep around the clematis to keep the roots cool. Pick a clematis cultivar. Having the crown under the soil allows you to cut it completely back and it will grow new shoots that are fungus/disease free. All clematis prefer to be planted so the crown of the plant - this is where its stem(s) emerge from the compost in which it was grown - is at least 3-4 inches (6 cm) below soil level. Just plant, mulch and water as you would other plants in your garden and prune it back to about two feet each spring. Large-flowering types that bloom in mid spring should be cut back to the topmost buds in late winter/early spring. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. ", to help me with planting the clematis, is it possible to give me information? ", hard to grow, but after reading the article, I think I can have some beautiful clematis growing soon. Clematis, like most plants, is best transplanted on cool, overcast days, in fall to early spring. They’re perennials, blooming in the spring and summer and dying back in the fall and winter, and can grow up to 20 feet (6.1 m) tall with lifespans of over 80 years. These plants include woody, deciduous vines as well as herbaceous and evergreen varieties. ", ground cover and small diameter lattice or wire to climb. Pat the soil around the base stem so it comes up to about the first set of leaves. Ensure that you can give your clematis the room it needs to grow. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Thanks for the advice. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Once established, care of clematis vines is minimal with the exception of watering. If you're working with soil that tends to be clay heavy (slow to drain), dig the hole a few inches deeper than you normally would. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. A 2-inch layer of mulch can also be incorporated to keep the roots cool and moist. For instance, poles are acceptable choices for smaller growing clematis vines, which can range anywhere from 2 to 5 feet in height. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. unlocking this expert answer. It may also help to cut the plant back some before planting to lessen shock as it adapts to its new environment. It should be less than .5 inches (1.27 centimeters) in diameter. Can I plant Jackman clematis in a cold, winter climate? Clematis is a perennial plant, which means it comes back from its own root system year after year, so selecting other perennial plants to grow at the base of the clematis … Growing clematis successfully depends on the type chosen; however, most plants share the same basic growing requirements. If you want to plant clematis, choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day, with well-drained soil that doesn’t have standing water after a heavy rain. Clematis like to have cool roots, This means they are perfect for planting among a bed of foliage, or behind some low growing shrubs. 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