Clematis grow best in a moist, well-drained soil with a neutral to a slightly alkaline soil pH. If your soil runs more acidic soil, sweeten it up with some lime or wood ash.
Clematis Planting Tips
Below you’ll find several recommendations for planting clematis. As you’ll see… no “perfect” formula exist. However, growing these wonderful vines involves a long term commitment.
Our advice: Take the time to prepare the planting location well!
Don’t just dig a hole larger than the container, put in some compost along with a bit of synthetic or organic granular fertilizer, water and walk away.
Planting Recommendation #1:
Dig the planting hole 2-1/2 feet deep and 1-1/2 feet wide. Put 6 inches of crushed stones or other drainage material in the bottom of the hole and fill it with fertile soil mixed with sand, leafmold, a spadeful of agricultural lime and 2 spadefuls of bonemeal. The use of manure is apt to induce wilt.
Planting Recommendation #2:
Dig a hole 18 inches wide and equally deep. At the bottom place a deep layer of humus or a mixture of soil, sand, peatmoss, leafmold or other organic material. If soil is not sweet, add some lime to mixture.
Spread out the plant roots, making sure that the collar of the plant is at least 2 or 3 inches below the surface of the soil. Firm the soil lightly and water well.
Cover the root area with a light mulch of peatmoss, sawdust, or leaves. But do not use leaves in the Northwest where the winters are mild and moist, since they would pack into a soggy mass.
Once planted, give them support with a permanent trellis. Clematis stems are brittle and will break in the wind unless supported.
Planting Recommendation #3: With a Cool Limestone Rock Trick
A method reportedly used by some English gardeners has been to sink a fairly large soft limestone rock flush with the ground and plant the clematis at the north side of it.
The rock shades and cools the roots of the plant, and also furnishes the lime elements which clematis appear to prefer in their soil.
The second requirement is to give them something to climb, even when they are young sprouts. A bamboo stake will do at first or anything stable to which the vine can cling.
The third requirement has to do with the hole you dig. Be sure it has good drainage. Make it roomy enough for a young tree. Be generous in adding humus (damp peat moss or rotted compost). Add several handfuls of ground limestone. Add a little well-rotted manure (never the fresh sort).
The fourth requirement is to plant the root ball deep—about three inches below soil surface. Some believe planting too shallow encourages certain kinds of dieback.
I’m sure you can see the importance of the location and the soil!
You want to make sure the plant has plenty of food to eat for a good start. Spread the roots so they fall in their natural positions and cover them with sharp sand or compost. This stimulates root growth and prevents the fertilizer from burning.
Use a gentle touch when planting, the delicate vine easily breaks. You don’t want to damage the crown or the emerging vines.
Plant slightly deeper than the pot it came in when purchased. Place the first set of leaves just under the soil and then gently fill the hole in with dirt.
For trellis, arbor and fence covering, space clematis from 6 to 12 feet apart, depending upon the vigor of the variety. Set the plants so their crowns are 1-1/2 to 2 inches below the ground level.
Fertilizing Clematis
Any plant that flowers so furiously is likely a greedy feeder. Happy plants will give amazing flowers to their owners.
The choice of commercial or organic fertilizer is yours. Feed in early spring, and again after flowering ends, but not later than the end of September. Don’t omit the annual application of lime.
Spray the plants and the soil around them with your favorite brand of liquid soluble fertilizer to maintain healthy growth and ward off possible yellowing of the foliage, known as chlorosis.
Watering Your Clematis Plants
During the first season water plants weekly. This will ensure your plant becomes fully established and able to withstand the seasonal changes.
Baby your clematis the first year. Add a bit of mulch around the base of your plant to help keep in some moisture. However, be sure the mulch sits a few inches from the crown to avoid any fungus or root rot setting in.
Clematis object to poor drainage or standing water but like moisture. Never allow clematis to dry out.
Clematis Vine Care: Sun And Shade
Clematis thrive in six hours of sun per day. They appreciate some cool shade at their feet (roots) and the sun on their hair (the top of the plant).
The shade will help to keep the delicate roots cooler and the sun on the foliage will encourage growth and flowers.
Support For The Climbing Clematis
Clematis cling tightly to their support. Young plants need a little coaxing, tie them in an upright position. Full-grown specimens require some training and securing to prevent wind breakage.
Shorter varieties grown for your patio or balcony, won’t need much support. However, if you’re using a taller vine version of the plant (which most people prefer), you’re going to require some sort of support.
Clematis love to climb. They always search for something to climb up on and grab a hold of. Give it a railing, a trellis, a tree or something to vine up and around. They pair lovely with other plants that are in contrast to their color. The blooming clematis on a pergola is a georgous sight.
Keep in mind, the clematis doesn’t twine as a morning glory does, instead, it will wrap its leaf stems around the railing or other nearby plants.
For this reason, anything over one-half inch may be too large for it to twine around. In the early years give plants some additional support or assistance. Fishing line or a thin wire is an ideal solution to provide enough support.
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