Clematis in the Carolinas

I have tried, so far, unsuccessfully, to grow clematis 2 different times this year. Both bought from Walmart. One never sprouted. The 2nd, this morning..I found it ...laying on it's side. Looks like it either got chewed through..or some kind of rot..at the soil level. It only got to less then 1" tall, with the 2 little leaves. That itself too forever to grow to that point. The first one, I driectly planted into the soil....by a concrete slab ..in the shade. It never grew.
This second one, I had kept it in the hothouse...so I could check it daily and watch for progress. Any ideas? I have grown clematis successfully before, but that was in Kansas, back in 2001. It was slow to take off too. But, once it was established..it seemed to do okay.

I grew many clematis successfully in Columbia and I do see them down around here too. They do not need a hot house as they are very hardy. They do need sun on top and their roots shaded with something like groundcover. While the problem could be with the plants you bought, it could also be something like voles that snack on your plants from below. If you are certain there are no voles, I would try again with healthy, well established plants from a reputable nursery.

I only put the 2nd one in the hothouse for

1; We have one to use. And

2; I wanted to keep an eye on the 2nd one.


There are no voles are moles on the property, that I have been able to tell as of yet. And the one that just fell over, is in a 4" pot in potting soil. The hothouse has all it's windows open, and I merely use it as a potting shed etc. I think it may be narrowed down to where I purchased them. I got them both at the local walmart store. So the problem might be the plant plugs themselves.
So, I guess......a nursery is the next step. Thank you for your input ardesia! :)

Here is a picture of the "hothouse". It may be something else entirely, but that is what we call it. The previous owners, the lady of the house grew and sold potted plants of some sort in the store on the property. We don't know what they were.

Here is an inside picture of it, the "hothouse". If it is called something else..would love to know. It is too covered for a greenhouse, we think.

My potting bench that my fiance made for me, from shipping crates, shipped with copper, from France.

Your hot house is beautiful and I envy you those benches. Cool recycling project!

I think yo hit the nail on the head, plugs are hard to keep growing and who knows how long WM had them sitting around. Bet you can find an actively growing plant and it will thrive for you.

Are you anywhere near the new Farmer's Market and if so, do they have lots of plants?

You're gonna have to help me out on that one. I am new to the area, new to the Midlands..as of last summer. There is a small Farmers Market down on Augusta Hwy, and I bigger one towards Lexington, on 378. Are either of those the one you mean?
I bet it is the WM stock. I know it is iffy purchasing from there, but I may need to get acquainted with the nurseries locally. Hmm....time for some google sightseeing...perhaps.

I love my potting bench. I love that it cost next to nothing, was custom made to my requirements, and is imported wood none the less! >>smiles

The new Farmer's Market is off I-26 but I do not remember where Batesburg is so it may not be near you. This is not your local FM but the state FM, it used to be in Columbia across the street from the football stadium. They moved out to Lexington County a few months ago. This FM has everything from huge wholesalers where the grocery stores buy down to backyard growers selling of the back of a pick up. They used to have a lot of flower booths at the old one.

I do believe I had found the link for that one, the one in Columbia. I would have loved to go to it, but, as it is, I am 35 miles west of Columbia, out 378. Almost in Saluda.
I have seen closer outdoor markets and nurseries. Just haven't made the effort to go to them yet. I still want a clematis though, so I will prob make a day to find them. Thanks for your help ardesia!!

The Lowes by my house sells many varieties of clematis every year. 12-18" tall. I've had one growing for a few years now between a concrete walkway and the house. Only problem I have is they don't seem to like when it gets really hot.

I read somewhere, prob here..that clematis likes cold feet. To bury the roots under 6" soil. I just want to get one started first..maybe I should start one in the fridgerator :))

I don't think I would bury the crown of the plant, now that you haved rreminded me where Batesburg is, you could use something like pachysandra to shade the roots.
Core is right, I have seen gallon plants of clematis in the big box stores too, no refrigeration needed. A bright, part sun exposure would help.

Still doing my research on it. I don't get to the big box stores often....it's a major day trip when I do. I will put them on the list and try to remember to get one already started. I just never thought of clematis as being hard to grow before. But, as I am new to the Midlands anyway.......seems like a whole new planet. Last time I was in SC..1985...Summerville. All I was growing then, was the 2nd child :))

Small world, I left Summerville in '83 weeks after my 2nd was born.

Seriously, clematis are not hard to grow at all, just get the right plant. How close to Greenwood are you? There are some good nurseries there including the George Park Seed Company. Newberry has some nurseries also and if you ever want to just walk around heaven visit the Carter and Holmes greenhouses, you don't have to buy anything, just be inspired.

We moved to S.C...June 83. Summerville in Sept.

Greenwood is 35 miles away. Newberry is 30. Batesburg is 10. Lexington is 28 miles away. I will look online and try to combine trips, as I am not working right now and gas is atrocious. Last fill up..$55. If I have to, I'll wait till next year and try again.
Has anyone ever ordered from online? Like Burpee etc?

Try this place, I have ordered clematis from them and been blown away by the quality. They have a flat fee of $10 for shipping - no matter how many you order. They have some nice ones on special right now.
http://www.gardenvines.com/shop/

They are now located in Athens, GA, not too far from you, so the plants will be aclimated to the area. One time I ordered several plants form them and the owner personally called me to say one of the plants I ordered was not up to snuff and would it be all right if they shipped it later at no charge. My kind on place!

Are you familiar with Garden Watchdog under the Products and Sources heading above? It is a good place to check out the reputation of online nurseries. Brushwood has an excellent reputation.

Thank you ardesia!! I am still learning my way around Daves Garden ...I got me membership for my b-day present this year. :D

Well, this is a new development. The little 2 leaf start I had, that somehow was cut or chewed at the soil line....I dipped it in rooting powder. It never died, but now has a new leaf forming in the middle!! This is just to funny...really. I may get my clematis afterall...lol