Same Day Delivery
Orders received by 11 a.m. Monday-Saturday CST can be delivered in the Mpls/St. Paul Metro area on the same day. We do not deliver on Sunday.
Clematis Basics
Clematis, Queen of the Climbers, is undoubtedly the most beautiful blooming perennial vine in our climate, often bearing hundreds of flowers for weeks at a time. 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 their garden should try a clematis. Or two. Or more!
How do you pronounce clematis? According to the authorities, it should be pronounced with a short 'a' and equal accent on all three syllables. Clem-a-tis. Occasionally you'll even hear it called Virgin's Bower. (or “Climbitis”!)
Clematis can be grouped into two basic types: large-flowered and small flowered. There are other differences related to pruning.
Are all varieties hardy here in Minnesota? 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."
What should I take into consideration when choosing a clematis? Color is primary, but remember 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, or over a longer period.
Where can I plant them? The ideal situation for a 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. An east exposure is great if you can manage it.
How deep should I plant clematis? Look carefully at the clematis for the spot where you can see the pairs of buds emerge from the stem. Plant the vine so that 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.
Do they need lots of lime or not? 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 grow well with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Much more important than lime is lots of humus in the soil and adequate moisture.
How far apart should I plant clematis? How large a clematis grows differs according to variety. Best is to space them at least 5 feet apart.
Should I mulch my plants? 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.
Are clematis heavy feeders? What fertilizer should I use? 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 such as ExcelGro™ two or three times early in the season. After the first year, apply a fertilizer high in phosphorus in May and again in mid-June. Always follow the directions on the fertilizer package.
How much water do they need? Clematis use lots of water and want the soil moist. In mid-summer, an established vine can use several gallons of water each day.
Can I 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.
What kind of trellis do they need? Since they climb by twining, clematis need something to wrap themselves around. Almost all trellising is suitable as long as you leave 2-3 inches between trellis and wall.
In nature, clematis twine up into trees and shrubs. In England, clematis are commonly grown on rose bushes but disease problems make that difficult here. Try planting one to grow up through an early blooming shrub with stron branching such as forsythia.
Will I need to train the vine to grow on the support? When the plant is young and just starting out, you can 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.
Is there any easy way to know how to prune clematis? For pruning purposes, clematis are 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.
Are there any fragrant clematis? If you had to say clematis had one short-coming, it would be lack of fragrance. There are a few small-flowered clematis with fragrance, such as Sweet Autumn, but almost none of the large-flowered varieties have any scent.
Are clematis bothered by insects? You will have occasional problems with aphids or some type of caterpillar eating foliage, but otherwise they are not prone to problems.
What about diseases? Clematis are 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. It is very important to keep the plant healthy and avoid anything that might damage the vine, especially at the base. Various fungicides have been tried with mixed results. The best results seem to be to plant it deep (as much as 3-4 inches), and keep it well watered. Refer to our Information Sheet entitled Clematis Wilt for more details on this problem.
Do clematis need any winter protection? Just as a precaution, apply 4-5 inches of mulch over the root area 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.
Additional Bachman's Information
Pruning Clematis
Fertilizing Annuals and Perennials
Clematis Wilt
Vines: Annual, Perennial and Tropical
Recommended Products
Quality Clematis Plants from Bachman's
Trellis and Plant Supports
Soil Amendments and Mulches
© Bachman's 2007
Recommended Products
|
Bachman's Gift Card USPS Delivery
$1.00 - $500.00 |
|
Spruce Top Bundles-10
$22.99 SALE $17.99 |
