How to Raise Clematis
Clematis is a climbing plant from the buttercup family that has twisting vines and colorful blooms. Even though these plants are hardy and can live 25 years or more, they are difficult to grow. With the proper care and the knowledge of how to raise clematis, your plants will thrive year after year.
Supplies
- Trellis
- Shovel
- Knife
- Backfill soil
- Water
- Fertilizer
- Mulch
- Pruning shears
Instructions
- Choose a spot for your clematis and make sure that the plant has an object to climb. A thin wire trellis works best because the vines cannot grab onto anything that is too thick. If you do not plant your clematis around a trellis, the vines will spread over walls and shrubs or sprawl all over the ground.
- Prepare an area about three feet wide and 24 inches in depth prior to planting.
- Use the shovel to dig a hole large enough to contain the root structure.
- Cut the stems to around 12 inches in height. This helps the plant to grow and reduces the chance of breaking the stems off while planting.
- Place the clematis crown 1 to 2 inches into the surface of the soil.
- Fill the hole with backfill soil, pat the soil down and water generously to settle the soil.
- Each year, until the plant is thriving, add a 15-5-5 fertilizer to the soil in a 50 square foot area around the plants.
- Add 2 inches of mulch in late spring when the ground is warm.
- Transplant your clematis in early spring before new growth appears. You can also transplant them in the fall or in late winter. Dig a root ball as large as possible and move the plant to the new location.
- Prune your clematis annually for maximum blooms.
- Take cuttings in May or June from partially hard shoots.
- Observe your clematis regularly for signs of leaf spot and fungal stem rot. This fungal disease will cause the stems to collapse and turn black. Remove any diseased stems below the wilted section of the plant.