Clematis: OOoooopppsss..I did it again!!, 0 by JeanneTX

JeanneTX wrote:
Jasper said: "I'm more confused than ever about location planting for Clematis. If the roots are supposed to be in shade, how can yours do so well in full sun...especially given the heat in Texas? (Or have you since planted other things around them to shade the roots?)"


Jasper..the old wives tale of "clematis roots being in the shade" is totally wrong in what people perceive from that statement..what is truly meant is that Clematis "Need" to have their roots stay MOIST..not SOGGY but moist..having the plant mulched and being vigilent about watering them will accomplish this..

"The pruning issue is another on-going dilemma, too. I never know how far back to cut them (or WHEN, for that matter) and still have them exposed to enough sun to get them top resprout in the spring, especially when there are other plants growing around them."


Jasper...One should prune their clematis Late Winter/early Spring...being in a warmer zone like me your most probably want to prune your clematis in Mid February...I do mine at the same time that I prune my Roses for the first time of the year...so calibrate when you do your Roses and you'll know when it's time for your clematis!!..or at the same time the Forsythias are in bloom is another way ...
As far as HOW to prune..you want to prune your pruning group 3's about an inch above the 2nd or 3rd leaf axil..for the newly form buds will emerge from the sides of the axil..I will post a pic to show you what freshly pruned clematis look like..


Julie said: " Some are very small and not doing as well so I may have to move some around next year. But oh I do love 'em tooo!!!!"

Julie..when did you plant them and what types are they?..Remember that you can't expect much from your clematis the first couple years as they are the "1st year they sleep", "2nd year they Creep" and "3rd year they LEAP" vines...so if they are newly planted this year...please leave them and let them get their root system established so you can see how beautifully they will perform in your gardens...also this is important for both of you ...Hard Pruning ALL types of pruning groups the first couple of years will let them grow strong root systems and they will be better off for it..I hard prune all of mine the first two year and then the 3rd year I let my Pruning group 2's to be pruned as they should be which is..you only prune them AFTER they have bloomed and ONLY to shape and keep in bounds!!..

Jasper..one other thing...being so hot here...I find that my clematis do best in 6-8 hours morning sun and shaded or filtered light after that..some of my pruning group 2's do suffer from "Brown-out" (leaves turning crispy brown) but do rebound around the middle of September and start putting out new leaves and bloom again..Hope this helps and thanks for the compliments...Jeanne