New to Clematis

I just purchased two clematis roots from walmart and and just curious if anyone has some good advice for planting? I have tried one once before but it was several years ago and the limbs broke when I planted it so it just never recovered.

I got 1 Jackmanii and 1 H. F. Young as you can see in the picture. They are tiny roots but I selected those two because both have new shoots already trying to poke out of the bag :)

The soil needs sounded similar to roses, much bigger hole, add good draining soil and compost or manure. I am curious how everyone else has done it though? I live in deep south Texas so I want to get them started soon before it gets hot.

Btw if anyone can recommend a great clematis to grow on a chain link fence it would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking for a colorful vine that can cover a large area and not look super leggy so I thought clematis would be a good start.

If they are that small, then you better baby them a while before planting. Pot them up to a one gallon and let them grow for a while. Start a little nursery to grow small bands of plants until they are a little larger. Clematis like sun, but, the roots like it cool. When they are in the pot you have better control on the heat factor, you can move them around if needed. Most clematis take a couple of years to mature. Both clematis you bought are great plants.

Well tonight and tomorrow night are chilly but the next ten days are high 70's here. I live way down south haha. We have great soil here, all I usually do is add in some perlite or peat moss to help the drainage. I have a raised flower bed that is mostly shaded, should I try to start it out there?

Sure! you can plant them anytime and many down south do, it's a personal choice. I personally just feel better putting a larger plant in the ground, the small plants can get lost, damaged, and not receive the tender care required.

Aslan -

I totally agree with Diamond regarding potting the baby clems into a gallon pot. I have only lost 1 that way and I felt the root system was poor at best on that one. Planting baby clems directly into the ground, I lost a number that way. However, it is ultimately your decision.

Also, when you plant your clems, be sure to use bone meal as this helps with root development. Plant them about 2" deeper than the soil line in the pot and at a 45 degree angle. This will help to stimulate growth on those basal nodes and promote more stem growth and vines.

Another thing - given your location, you should be able to get 2 or 3 nice flushes of flowers on your clems.

Great! Thanks for your help, sounds like I better go ahead and pot them first since both of you find that to be a safe way. I can hardly wait!

I agree with Diamond. The root system is the major key to the plant. As Carolyn mentioned the 45 degree angle is how you should always plant your clematis.

If you have a tomato cage or any type of climbing support for them it would be helpful to put that in place now for the first year or 2 and up grade to a larger trellis as it grows. One good reason is to know where that plant is and even if you don't see lots of growth this summer don't assume it's dead. I've had clematis go 'missing' for a year and come back full force the next year. As long as the crown isn't damaged and moles have not eaten the roots you should have a clematis pop up when it's good and ready. You did pick great choices.

There are so many clematis. Check out http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/
You will be amazed how many clematis are out there. I don't recall how many I have right now but some where around 60. I've learned what I like and what I don't like. Type 3 is the easies to start. Type 2 has huge flowers.

You asked in your first post for someone to recommend a clematis for a chain link fence - what color do you prefer? We all have favorites.

Here are a few of mine:
Barbara Harrington blooms all spring, summer and into fall for me.

This message was edited Feb 12, 2011 11:37 AM

Venosa Violacea
This picture doesn't do it justice. Very vivid colors

New computer so finding all my pictures is a little time consuming but I love:
Lady Betty Belfour
John Huxtable
Etoile Voilet
Ivan Olsson (picture attached)
Claie de lune
Negritianka is a fast grower and nearly black it's so deep purple
Comtesse de Bouchud
Etoile Violette
Huldine
SO many to love......enjoy you new found addiction!

Shihtzumom

I love Ivan Olsson - is he new? What type is he? His colors are so pretty.

Carolyn,
Ivan Olsson is a type 2. HUGE flowers that are stunning. A lovely clematis. This was from Silver Star Vinery in 2009. Full of buds the flowers that catch your eye regardless of what is planted near by. A must have clematis. Here is my list of 41 clematis and I do a a couple that I know are not on here.


2007
2 Galore - end posts at driveway
1 John Huxtable - with altissimo rose

1 Abundance - front right porch post
2 Barbara Harrington - view from kitchen window
1 Rouge Cardinal - middle of sidewalk/mailbox fence

2008
2 Etoile Violette - 2 at each post on front steps
1 Huldine - in huge circle back yard
1 Lady Betty Belfour - with Huldine
1 Madame Edouard Andre' (burgundy colored type 3) ??
1 Negritianka - on pergola
1 Ville de Lyon near pergola
1 Voluceau
1 Polish Spirit

2009
1 Edouard Desfosse
1 Claie de lune
1 Prince Charles
1 Rhapsody
3 Ville de Lyon
1 Semu
1 Hagley
1 Ivan Olson
1 Negritianka
2 Etoile Violette
1 Henryi

2010
1 Betty Corning - with Negritianka at pergola
1 Comtesse de Bouchaud
1 Honora
1 Angelique
1 Romantika
1 Cezanne
1 Warsaw Nike
1 Bee's Jubilee
1 Kakio-pink Champagne
1 Crystal Fountain
41 total


Ordered this year: (so far)
Ice Blue
Blue Angel
Omoshiro

Nice collection! I hope my Barbara Harrington will do as well as yours.

Nice Collection Kathy! I do expect some great pictures this year!

Kathy

I knew you had a nice collection. I too am looking forward to pictures this year from you. Just wondering if you have looked at Silvery Star's 'Debbie Fischer' clem. That one definitely caught my eye, but I am also drawn to the nodding bell shaped clems.

Carolyn

Carolyn,
I have looked at it on the website but it's really hard to tell about the color. I've emailed her to get a description of it's true color but she hasn't had one bloom yet. I think the Holland grower will have some plants to her this year so she can see it bloom herself. Not sure how long that process takes - from propagation to planting/blooming.

The bell shapes are lovely but I only have one - Betty Corning.

Princess Diana is stunning. I don't have this one but have seen it in full bloom. Great color.

Shihtzumom

I was thinking the Debbie Fischer clem was close in color to Red Beetroot Beauty (Betina), which is a nice maroon color. I have Betina and I really love the color -

Do you have Pistachio? I think I will try that one this year. I don't have Betina but my yard is about as full as it can get. My rose list is extensive for this size yard so I really need to cut back. *yeah right

Kathy

Kathy

I have looked at Pistachio on and off during the years. It is absolutely gorgeous, but quite honestly - I have never met a clematis I did not covet! ^_^

I question how it would do in my zone - I have seen differing information on the zone for Pistachio.

Dan didn't have Pistachio so I picked Polish Spirit. I know I had that one but not sure where it went. I wasn't so great at labeling them in the beginning of the addiction. I haven't check SSV to see if Debbie has Pistachio. Rooguchi and Arabella were Dan's picks. Rooguchi is stunning but just not sure I want to invest in a ground cover clematis without knowing more about it and how well it does - or how tall etc.

My space is growing small so I need to be very picky at this point.

kathy

Limited space is the painful part of selecting more clem's and we all have that problem or will face it.

Rooguchi didn't do well for me but I can look in the mirror and know who planted it in the wrong spot.

LOL Pirl, it happens!

Wouldn't you think we'd all know better at this point?

For years and years I listened to Ralph Snodsmith on radio, every Sunday morning (he died last year), and his mantra was: The right plant in the right place. So why do we want the right plant in the wrong place? Human nature, I guess.

I may try Rooguchi elsewhere but not this year. I'm still annoyed and myself from last time.

I have Rooguchi and just love it. I purchased it with the idea of climbing with a Pinata rose. I thought the blue-ish purple of the Rooguchi would look great with the yellow orange of the rose. Well, I lost the rose, but Rooguchi is still there. I tie to to the covered metal fencing that DH put on my privacy fence, so I don't let mine sprawl.

The thing that I love about Rooguchi is that it has the longest bloom period of clematis that I have ever seen. I do have 40-50 clems and this one out blooms all of them by far.

I have some clems that I am going to have to move and I am thinking about putting Alba Luxurians in with Rooguchi.

If you can get Rooguchi, definitely purchase it..... it flowers all summer for me without cutting it back.

I'll think about it again, Carolyn.

It is from the Integrifolia group? I thought they weren't climbers. Do you see any differences with the other kinds?

It is an integrefolia.

It is one that grows longer than some of the others, which makes it perfect to tie to a trellis or train through another plant or to sprawl through the garden. I put in Durandii which is also an integrefolia to grow through my Flowering Almond.....

I have Rooguchi in between The Fairy and an arbor. It sprawled through The Fairy and climbed the arbor. I guess it's ambidextrous:)

Looks like Carolyn and Louise are trying to sway my mind.

Lovely photographs!

Louise

that is gorgeous. Now I really am wishing my rose had not died.

I have the rose but not the clematis - what a beautiful picture. Louise does the clematis bloom long for you?
Kathy

Yes Kathy, I agree with Carolyn. It's not the first to bloom in the spring, but once it gets going it doesn't stop.

Beautiful pic. When do you fertilize your clems and with what.

Beautiful Blue

Yes, always feed your clematis. Planting them correctly is the first thing to do but I put rose food on mine when spring starts. I have great success with Bayer Rose Food. Not sure what others use but it does the job for me.

Here is Huldine and Lady Betty Belfour. Planted in 2008 and picture taken summer 2010

Didn't connect - here it is again hopefully

Nice!!!!!

Bootifull!! You have a way with those clematis!

It would take 4 people to put their arms around it to make the full circle. It's about 9 feet tall. It's a monster

But the best kind of monster!I had the grandkids last night......

Funny Dem....^_^

Nice Kathy!! Huldine has always put on a great show for me too. Very dependable clem.