CLEMATIS

The Clematis is a vining perennial (i.e. comes up every year) that with proper care will provide your yard with a brilliant show of color. Many people believe that clematis are hard to grow -this isn't true. If you know a few simple facts about clematis, they are relatively easy to grow.

Clematis require a site that will receive at least one half day of direct sunlight. This helps in bud and bloom production and in lowering the susceptibility of crown rot. Young clematis are extremely susceptible to crown rot (a fungus disease) which can usually be prevented by treating the plant with a garden or flower fungicide (dust or spray) throughout the growing season.

The plants are also very sensitive to any root disturbances. These may include animals digging around the roots, growing in a low spot where water may collect, or any other type of soil disturbance.

Clematis also like to have a cool root zone. This can be achieved by putting a layer of mulch around the base of the plant or putting it near other shrubs, perennials or annuals which will shade the soil but not the growing part of the plant.

If all the above requirements are met, you should have little trouble getting clematis started. Give them time to get a good root system established before expecting flowers. This may take a year or two. (The double flowering varieties may take longer to establish themselves.)

There are three basic types of clematis: ones that produce flowers on this year's growth (new wood); ones that produce flowers on the previous year's growth (old wood); and the last type which flowers on both "new" and "old" growth.

The first type produces buds on the new growth off-and-on during each season and should be heavily pruned every winter or early spring back to the first pair of leaf buds above the ground.

"Heavy" or severe pruning means cutting nearly to the ground, leaving only one or two sets of buds on the vine. This is usually within 6-8" of the ground - best for new wood bloomers. Light pruning involves more judgment. Usually it means reducing the plant to a more manageable size, pruning to revitalize the plant or trimming to retrain the vine. Light pruning is preferred for vines that flower on old wood so that only a minimum of flower buds are removed.

The second type, which flowers on old growth in the spring, is best pruned at the same time as the previous type. It should not be pruned severely because that would greatly reduce the number of flowers.

The third type, which flowers on old wood in the spring, and new wood in summer, should be pruned slightly only to control the growth habit. Severe pruning on this type will also reduce the amount of flowers.

If you live in an area with extremely harsh winters, it would be a safe bet to plant a variety that flowers on new wood. If all the old growth gets killed back to ground level, you won't have to worry about your vine producing flowers.

The only other important thing to know is about fertilization. When planting your clematis, feed it with a fertilizer heavy in phosphorus (which produces roots and buds and is the middle number on a fertilizer bag :(5-10-5). During the next few years, it will help to apply a mild fertilizer for flowering plants in the spring.

Once your clematis have really established themselves, they need only minimal care. This makes all the initial effort worth it! By following the few simple rules above, almost everyone can grow a clematis to be proud of.