How to Grow Clematis

Planting: Loosen soil 2 ft. wide and 2 ft. deep. Mix 2 cubic feet each of Nature’s Blend Compost and Sphagnum Peat, 6 quarts of Back 2 Nature Composted Cattle Manure, 2 cups of Hi-Yield Bone Meal, and 1 cup of Hi-Yield Agricultural Lime into loosened soil area. Plant with crown at the soil level and support initially with string to a fence, wall, or trellis. The best time to plant is spring or fall in a location of 5 or more hours of sunlight.

While some clematis roots are long and deep, most are very near the surface and like it cool and damp. Plant annuals around the roots or select the shady side of a wall or fence where the vines can climb into the sunlight. Mulch 2 inches deep each summer to retain moisture. Water freely and often the first year. Subsequent years, always soak well once a week in dry weather.

Feed twice a season with a good garden fertilizer such as Fertilome Start N’ Grow and a handful of Hi-Yield Agricultural Lime.

The tips of growing shoots can also be pinched out during late spring and early summer to induce additional branching. The more you prune, the first year, the better the future of you plant.

Pruning: There are 3 types of Clematis with different types of pruning that is required.
     Pruning Type 1) Type 1 clematis bloom on growth made the previous year. They can be pruned to keep them contained to an area or get rid of dead foliage. If they are pruned late in the season, or before they flower in the year, you will be cutting off potential flower buds. After the plant has flowered it is okay to prune, but most of Type 1 will not need any pruning.
     Pruning Type 2) Type 2 Clematis bloom on old wood! When the buds set, you can trim off dead branches in the spring. There are two types of the Type 2. One will bloom in the spring and again in the fall, the other will bloom mainly in the spring and then periodically in the summer. It is the safest to prune in the spring.
     Pruning Type 3) Type 3 is the fastest growing and blooms come on new growth. This is the type that needs to be cut back to the ground each year. If pruning is failed, the Clematis will become leggy and very woody.

Examples:
     Ernest Markham: Magenta Red, blooms August – October, 12-16 ft. Prune hard.

     Henryi: White, blooms June – September without pruning

     Jackmanii: Velvety Purple, blooms June – September, 8-12 ft. Prune hard.

     Nelly Moser: Pale Bluish-Pink, white edges. Blooms May, June, and September, 8-12 ft. No Pruning necessary unless to shape.

     Ramona: Sky Blue, blooms July – September, 10-16 ft. No Pruning necessary unless to shape.