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Clematis Basics 
Clematis is undoubtedly the most beautiful blooming perennial vine, often bearing hundreds of flowers for weeks at a time. Referred to as Queen of the Climbers, clematis comes in a wide range of colors, bloom times and bloom sizes. Many of the large flowered clematis are what you might call a 60-mile-an-hour-flower… you can see them even when speeding down the road. Everyone with some sun in his or her garden should try clematis. Or two. Or more!
Clematis can be grouped into two basic types: large-flowered and small flowered. There are classifications beyond that, but it just gets really confusing. While there are some varieties we cannot grow here, most clematis are considered fully hardy in Zone 4 (our metropolitan area) and marginal in Zone 3. Check the tags for hardiness information or ask when you purchase your plant, especially if you want to plant it “Up North.”
Color is the primary reason, to take into consideration when choosing clematis but you should also be aware that different varieties bloom as early as June and as late as September Size of bloom will also vary from 1 inch across to 5 inches. Keep in mind that the small-flowered varieties often make up for size by offering many more flowers at a time. If you had to say clematis had one shortcoming, it would be lack of fragrance. There is few small-flowered clematis with fragrance, such as Sweet Autumn, but almost none of the large-flowered varieties have any scent.
The ideal situation for clematis is where it will receive at least 6 hours of sun. It prefers well-drained, humus-rich soil and shade on the root system. Look carefully at the clematis you are planting so you can see where the pairs of buds emerge from the stem. Plant the vine so that at least one or two pair of buds (often 3-4 inches up the stem) is below ground level. If necessary, the root system and lower parts of the stem can be laid down to facilitate covering the lower sets of buds. Covering the lower buds helps insure the plant will come back if it does have a problem with clematis wilt. How large clematis grows differs according to variety. A good rule of thumb is to space them at least 5 feet apart. See Bachman’s information sheet on Clematis wilt.
Every source seems to have a different recommendation regarding lime and clematis. First of all, if you are successfully growing clematis, don’t worry about it. If you are just planting don’t apply lime unless you know your soil is extremely acid. Most clematis grows, well with a pH of 6.0 to7.5, more importantly than lime is adding a lot of humus in the soil and adequate moisture. Mulching clematis with 1-2 inches of organic (not rock) mulch will help keep the roots cool, minimize weeds and keep the moisture more even, giving you healthier, happier plants.
It is important to keep established clematis well fertilized or you will end up with smaller and fewer blooms. During the first year, use a water-soluble fertilizer two or three times early in the season. Once it has been in the ground a year, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorus in May and again in mid-June. Always follow the directions on the fertilizer package. Clematis use lots of water and want the soil to stay consistently moist. In mid-summer, an established vine can use several gallons of water each day.
You can plant more than one vine together this works great! Just be sure to choose two varieties that need the same pruning method so you won’t have to know which is which. A great combination is the dark purple Jackmanii with the rosy-pink Comtesse de Bouchard.
Since they climb by twining, clematis need something to wrap the stems around. Almost all trellising is suitable as long as you leave 2-3 inches behind it (space it out from the wall). When the plant is young and just starting out, you will need to direct the new growth over to the trellis and help it get started. Once it begins to twine, it will do the rest by itself. In nature, clematis twines up into trees and shrubs.
Pruning clematis is confusing. For pruning purposes, clematis is grouped into one of three categories with a different method for pruning each. Ask for a copy of Bachman’s Information Sheet Pruning Clematis to find out the best way to prune the variety you have. If you don’t know which method applies to your clematis, simply remove any dead wood for the season and watch for when it blooms, so you’ll know for next year.
For winter protection just as a precaution, apply 4-5 inches of mulch in the fall. Snow is a great insulator and usually provides all the protection the root system needs, but we occasionally go through a few weeks with little or no snow cover and extremely cold temperatures.
You can have occasional problems with aphids or some type of caterpillar eating foliage, but otherwise they are not prone to insect problems.
Clematis is susceptible to a wilt that can severely damage or kill plants, often happening rather quickly in mid-summer. This wilt is not fully understood and there are still lots of theories on how to deal with it. See the Bachman’s Information Sheet entitled Clematis Wilt.
Additional Bachman’s Information
Pruning Clematis
Clematis Wilt
Fertilizing Annuals and Perennials
Vines: Annual, Perennial and Tropical
Recommended Products
Quality Clematis Plants from Bachman’s
Trellis and Plant Supports
Soil Amendments and Mulches
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