How do I take care of the clematis I planted?

Question

I planted a clematis last spring/summer.It was show stoppingingly beautiful.I left the vine intact over the winter and it turned brown and dead looking.It is growing green buds all over it now that our temp is in the high 60's.How do I properly care for this plant once the blooms are gone?

Answer 1

First of all, what type of clematis do you have? I have just attended a talk last month hosted by a man who owns a clematis nursery. He handed out a lot of info on caring for them, but there are three distinct types.

1. Group 1- No pruning. Varieties in this group of winter an spring bloomers require no pruning at all. This includes members of the Atragenae group, Montana group, and Evergreen group. If any pruning is needed to keep the plant tidy, take out dead stems or broken ones and for general renewal it should be performed soon after the main period of flowering.

2. Group 2- Light Pruning.Varieties in this group are principally the early large-flowered types that bloom in late spring to early summer, and then again in late summer to autumn. The double-flowering types are usually included in this group as well. Pruning commences in early spring when buds begin to swell, and you can determine what wood is alive. First, prune out the dead or diseased wood which should be obvious. Then, starting at the top and moving down to about 1/3 of its height, prune just above a strong pair of buds on each stem. If there is a tangled mass of stems, just cut below this, separate the stems and tie to a support. After the first flowering period, give the plant another very light pruning and fertilise to stimulate the next round of blooms.

It is recommended that young Group 2 plants are given a very hard pruning to help develop the root system and promote the growth of additional stems from the base of the plant. This is critical to the health and development of this type; after this 2 years of hard pruning, you can go to the regular light pruning this variety is famous for.

Group 3- Prune hard. This includes the late large-flowering types, Jackmanii types, late flowering species, and the Viticellas and their related forms; and the Herbacious types. they all bloom on the current year's growth which is new wood, and require hard pruning in early spring when the buds begin to swell. Starting from the base of the plant, prune just above the second pair of buds or about 12-18 inches from the ground.

Fertilise and mulch clematis after pruning.

Always make sure the ground is moist before fertilising. Clematis are heavy feeders and should be fertilised and mulched just after pruning in early spring using a balanced fertiliser. For varieties that produce a second period of flowering, another feeding is recommended just after the first flowering has finished. As a general rule, stop fertilising once your plant is in bud with flowers; and do not fertilise later than mid-August. You can top-dress around the base of the plant with aged manure or bone meal in the late fall and scratch it into the soil. This is very beneficial. Plants in containers should be fed in early spring with a timed slow-release fertiliser and supplemented with a liquid fertiliser once per month.

Answer 2

Mine is a summer and fall blooming type. I trim it back in the spring. Some years I trim it down to about 6 inches and other years I trim it to about 2 or three feet. I have always had wonderful vines with bushels of flowers. Don't forget that many like to have their roots in the shade but the vines in the sun (mulch the roots).

Answer 3

I have a deep purple one on a trellis by my mailbox that I love, I planted it at least 6 years ago. I have heard that it likes cool roots so I keep it well mulched in the summer and it is by an irrigation head so it probably helps. When the foliage looks ugly and the flowers are gone, I cut it back to the ground and it doesn't seem to hurt.

Answer 4

Train it to climb by cutting off wayward branches. Keep the roots covered with a mulch and do not let water "sit" on the roots... I have heard some people cut it down to the ground in the fall so that it will rejuvenat come spring time...