Clematis: Useful tips for planting, pruning and producing many beautiful flowers
With a surprising variety, these resistant plants ( also known as rustic plants ) stage an unforgettable show that includes colours, scents and displays of different flower seasons and also offers very large seeds. This spectacle of nature is called Clematis!
Some are evergreens, some change the leaves; the dimensions of the flowers range from small and delicate flowers to large flowers. And some even fill the air with a sweet fragrance.
Flowering and places and favourites of Clematis
The periods of flowers range from late winter to autumn, with some species performing two vegetative production shows during the growing season!
They have a reputation for being a little difficult to grow, due to the particular pruning which is the main reason. Despite contrary opinions, clematis vines are actually simple enough to cure.
It is true that plants are demanding on where they like to take root. And this means that a little more attention when planting will make a big difference in their performance.
But once it takes root, its brilliant display of flowering, as multitudes of flowers rise and fall, will make you forget all that extra effort.
Even clematis pruning is easy – it’s true! That is, once you know our easy-to-remember pruning tip … keep reading for that.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about planting clematis, simple tricks to keep the roots fresh, location planning, fertilizer guidelines, a simple guide to pruning and much more!
Family and origins of Clematis
Clematis belong to the genus Ranunculaceae or to the buttercup family.
Many species are native to Asia, but there are also endemic varieties in Europe, North America and Australia. With almost 300 hybrid species and more cultivars under development each year, these vines have become an ever-changing garden.
The name clematis derives from the ancient Greek “klema”, which means (not surprisingly) something similar to “creeper”.
Most varieties are climbers, with fast-growing vines, woody ones that climb, expand and climb on whatever is on their way.
But there are also some types of erect (ie not climbing) shrubs, herbaceous like Clematis recta. And there are also several species that make ground cover excellent, such as the Clematis praecox.
They have opposite leaves and the stems are divided into stems and leaflets that rotate around supporting structures for stability and anchor the plants while they curl up and climb
Many of the species that originate in the warm regions are evergreen, while those that come from the temperate zones have deciduous leaves. All are characterized by perennial blooms.
How to make an ideal Clematis implant
If possible, clematis should be planted in spring. This will give him the time necessary to consolidate himself before the winter period arrives. To allow the roots to spread easily, work the side walls of the planting hole with a hoe before planting and filling with soil.
Before planting, while your clematis is still in its nursery pot, dip it in a bucket of water for about 15 minutes. Measure your plant area, then remove the soil enough to insert it.
Enrich it with two or three palates filled with organic material such as compost or mature manure. Add one to three palates filled with river sand to improve drainage and be generous with the sand if your site tends to be clayey and compact, with dangers of deleterious stagnation of the roots.
Return a portion of the enriched soil to the implant hole to reach the correct level for sowing. If you use permanent climbing support, place it now.
Water the hole thoroughly. Gently remove the moistened plant, taking care not to damage the delicate stems.
Most clematis will be assigned to small support, which should be left in place. Once set, you will fix the small support to the permanent structure with the string.
Evergreen varieties, like Clematis armandii, are an exception to this rule in terms of seeding depth. With these types, the crown should be at the level of the surface when planted.
Fill the planting hole with the enriched and still soil in position, then plenty of water.
Sun, Water and Fertilizer
Watering your new clematis is important, and you will need to receive at least one litre of water per week. This amount should be increased in warm weather, up to four litres per week.
The ideal position is where the flowers receive a lot of sunlight, but they have the roots in a cool and well covered by direct sunlight.
Keep your vines well watered, but don’t overfeed. Once they have settled in and new growth begins, the clematis requires a fertilizer of 5-10-5, or 5-10-10, compared to the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients. We always suggest using natural fertilizers such as earthworm humus or natural herb macerates such as horsetail.
