Advice on Clematis
by
Shelly G
+14
I have a few vines that I planted early in the spring. I have also planted some seeds recently. The seeds haven't sprouted yet & the vines are kind of scraggly. Does anyone have any advice? Where is the best location to plant them and when? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I fell in love with Clematis when I saw some in a yard on day. It was so thick & healthy looking that I thought it was a bush! That's how I'd like mine to be.
17 answers
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This long, hot, dry summer has been hard on my clematis. Generally speaking, they like the sun...but who likes the sun when it is 100 degrees or more day after day? One thing about clematis is that the need be very well mulched at the root and kept well watered. Four of mine are wood chip mulched and my biggest vine is in an alley bed. I use my lawn clippings there. None of them is at their best this summer and I just have to hope that mine will recover a bit when we finally put the hot summer behind us.
Lori J
on Aug 07, 2012
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Clematis are known for being slow to get established, Shelly, so it is not surprising yours have not taken off this year. Even the International Clematis Society says first-year growth is often "pathetic." When I've gotten a small plant I have actually grown it in a pot for a year before planting it in the ground. As Lori says, keeping the the roots cool is crucial. I've actually placed rocks over mine. Also, water, water, water! Growing clematis from seeds is truly a labor of love as they can take up to three years to geminate, and you should not expect to see any germination at all for at least six months.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 07, 2012
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I actually had a few flowers on mine, but that was it. Water drips there constantly from my a/c drain pipe. Hopefully with a lot of patience I will eventually have some pretty healthy looking Clematis. :) Thank you, Lori & Douglas. :)
Shelly G
on Aug 07, 2012
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If that means the soil is constantly wet, Shelly, that would not be good.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 08, 2012
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Yes, it's pretty much always wet. Do you think when the a/c is no longer in use they will do better? I'll be sure to plant my next Clematis in a different spot.
Shelly G
on Aug 08, 2012
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Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Shelly G
on Aug 08, 2012
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They may improve this year but you'll have the same problem next and will probably never have the kind of plant you envision. It would be better to move them to a drier spot.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 09, 2012
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Should I wait until Fall or cooler weather to transplant them, Douglas?
Shelly G
on Aug 09, 2012
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If the soil is constantly wet, I'm afraid the roots are going to rot. This is not an ideal time to transplant, but you're kind of between a rock and a hard place.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 10, 2012
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Douglas, I sure do appreciate your advice! :)
Shelly G
on Aug 10, 2012
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You're welcome, Shelly. Good luck with your clematis.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 12, 2012
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Hey, Douglas, do you know anything about the Mexican Bird of Paradise?
Shelly G
on Aug 12, 2012
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We have the traditional orange birds and the more tropical, and larger, white birds in Florida, but I'd never heard of a Mexican Bird of Paradise until your question. What did you want to know? Here are some basic facts: http://www.mswn.com/Plant%20Info%20Sheets/Caesalpinia%20mexicana.pdf
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 13, 2012
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I have one growing that I planted from a seed. I was just wondering what the best location to transplant it would be?
Shelly G
on Aug 13, 2012
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They're not hardy below zone 8. You may need to grow it in a (large) pot in a sunny location so you can move it somewhere protected for the winter.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 14, 2012
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I got the seeds from two different mature plants that are growing here in town. One is right down the street from me & the other is across town & it's big, so it's obviously been there several years. I might try planting it on the south side of the house to block the north wind. The other two plants are planted out in the open on the east side of the yards. Wish me luck! :)
Shelly G
on Aug 14, 2012
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Plants don't always listen to what zone they're supposed to grow in. I think your idea to plant them in a protected location is a good one. Try to mimic the conditions of the ones from which you collected the seed.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 15, 2012
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