As a gardener, you certainly wish to grow and keep your plants and flowers in a healthy ideal state. Clematis is a definite beauty from the buttercup family and amazingly, planting and maintaining it is quite simple. The basic requirements for it to thrive are ensuring their roots are cool, finding the ideal location, proper fertilizer choice and application and weeding.
First and foremost, clematis growing depends on planting process and refinement of the soil. You must ensure your soil is well prepared and has enough nourishment. Otherwise, your clematis will fail, regardless of the quality of the plant. Apart from proper nourishment, the soil should also have good drainage to avoid too much water retention.
The basic idea is to improve your soil, whether it is acidic or alkaline, clayey or silty. Fortunately, clematis does well in any pH.
Below is what I would recommend if you plan to plant clematis.
By a fence or wall
Make sure you dig the hole about 30 cm from the base of the structure to avoid cramping of roots and inadequacy of water.
By a tree
Dig the hole about 2 ft from the tree base, with the stalk leaning towards the tree.
How To Grow Clematis into a shrub
Plant the clematis outside the range of the shrub branches so that it will receive enough sunlight and water and to avoid congestion of roots.
Planting Procedure
1. Water or soak the clematis before you dig the hole to make it easier to handle. The size of the hole you dig should be deeper than the size of the pot to ensure proper space for root spread.
2. Cultivate the soil at the base of the hole and place properly decomposed manure or commercial compost. For the latter, John Innes number 3 is my favorite choice since it has good loam quality and is well nourished.
The manure should be maturely rotten; that is, it should not be steamy. After applying the portion at the base, fork it in well and cover about 2 inches of soil.
3. Apply a handful of Bone meal and mix with the soil. It is an excellent organic fertilizer and a source of protein and phosphorous.
4. Extract your plant from the water (if you had soaked) and cut the ties 6 inches from the base of the plant.
5. Detach the pot from the plant. In case there are any balled up roots, gently straighten them to enhance the rooting.
6. Put the Clematis plant in the hole carefully. Ensure the root ball is at least 8 cm deeper than it was in the pot. Cover the rest of the hole and press down the soil using your hands.
7. Place Plant Food around the plant. I like to work with Westland Gro-sure Slow Release Plant Food. The plant food will slowly release food to keep your Clematis growing at a stable rate.
8. The last step is watering. Supply a generous amount of water to on the soil around the plant. Adequate water is essential for the survival of your clematis.
Growing Clematis in Containers
If you do not have a garden, or you wish to plant clematis as house decoration, the solution is planting in containers. Fortunately, clematis does well in containers and maintenance is easy.
Procedure
1. Select a large container about 45 cm deep and good drainage openings. Ceramic clay is better than plastic. Place gravel at the base of the container to promote good drainage. Also, ensure that the container is located such that the holes are open at all times.
2. Plant the clematis with the roots at least 3 inches deeper than it was in the plastic. Ensure the root ball is at the center of the container.
3. Water regularly but do not overdo it to minimize retention. Always make sure the drainage holes are open.
4. After every one year, take away the top 2 inches of compost and replace it with new compost mixed with bone meal.
Optionally, you may add Osmocote tablets after a month to supply food and protect the roots from burning. You may use liquid tomato feed from the 3rd to the 7th month.
5. Pruning of the roots is required every 4 or 5 years.
6. If there is some space left on the container, you can plant a ground cover.
How do you plant Clematis on a Wall?
Since clematis is climbers, they need support. A trellis or meshed fence would be perfect. You may even plant a shrub to protect the roots of the clematis from drying up.
Best Time to Plant Clematis
Clematis is a flexible plant with little sensitivity. You can plant as long as the environment is favorable. During summer and spring, root development is advanced, and there is an increase in storage of food for the plant.
It will provide nourishment for flowering in the Spring. Root growth is usually conspicuous when the plant I about 2 feet tall. If the weather is moderate, it is a good idea to plant in the fall.
Pruning will be necessary for the next spring. During summer, it is imperative to keep watering the clematis on a regular basis, to prevent wilting.
Pruning Tips
1. Pruning is an essential part of the growth of Clematis. It protects the plant from pests, damage and the spread of infection.
2. The first pruning should be done on the first spring on the year of planting. All dead and loose branches should be cut off. This helps to control the size and growth.
3. Remove old stems to promote flowering in spring. Old stems can also be regenerate old stems by really cutting back, about 18 inches. You can perform the surgery after the primary flush.
Group 1
They require little and sometimes no pruning. Pruning is only necessary to control size after flowering.
Group 2
They grow on old and new wood. Pruning should be done twice; at the onset of spring and after flowering.
Handling Clematis in the Seasons
1. Spring – At the beginning of spring, apply fertilizer (5-10-10). Any transplanting should be done early spring. Pruning is not necessary for Group 1 and should be light for Group 2.
During Mid spring, you may plant some annuals at the surface, continue applying fertilizer and tie vines to enhance support.
Late spring is a time to keep an eye on the water content of the plant. Mulch may be applied but should not touch the clematis. Light pruning should be done to Group 1.
2. Summer – Fungal infections may start to settle in. Watch out for and remove infected parts. You may use a bleach solution to sanitize the plant. Prune Group 2 about 1.5 inches back after the first flush. Water adequately.
3.Winter – Ensure the vines are well tied for support during the harsh winter conditions. Mulch can also be used but should not touch the plant leaves. Ensure water is well provided.
That’s all you need to know on how to plant a clematis flower! Feel free to share and comment below if you have additional tips.
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