I may be hatching a bad idea, so I would really like your opinions. I would like to plant a clematis that would grow up our garage and over the garage door. (We have a standard-sized two car garage). There is really not room for a wall arbor, so I would like to use a trellis system like this:
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?cat=2,33286&p=47472
I think it's a great spot for a clem. It is a west facing side of the house, but the base would almost always be in shade or dappled sunlight.
Is this a bad idea? Pruning would definitely be a challenge. I have a few clematis, but one of them was at this house when we bought it. I never prune that particular one, and it blooms every spring. So it makes me wonder if there is a clematis that could still flourish without pruning, or do I need to ditch this plan and plant a morning glory instead?
Thanks for your help-I can already tell clematis are addicting!
Clematis-with no pruning?
Pruning group 1 clematis typically don't need to be pruned. I would prune them in the first year or two to get the root system established. After that, you are just into cutting off anything that is dead as with any other type of plant.
Thanks, Carolyn-I was confused by the pruning info I had been reading! It sounded like they all had to be pruned back every year. Now I need to find a Group 1 that would grow tall enough to cover the area-I think this forum has a search feature on the first thread, so I'll check that out.
Group 1 - no pruning unless it's really out of bounds and then ONLY immediately after bloom.
Group 2 - many opinions. Some people keep them low for the first year or two to give strength to the roots. Normally pruned after bloom by either half or a third.
Group 3 - cut down in Feb./Mar. to about 12", to the lowest bud.
Regardless of class or recommendations on clematis sites, there are some people who never prune any clem's and others who prune frequently.
For clematises of any class you can check Brushwood. This is their link to their Montana class: http://www.gardenvines.com/shop/search/results.html?search_in_description=1&ignore_special_flag=1&keyword=clematis+montana&inc_subcat=0&page=1&sort=3a
Check out http://www.winsfordwalledgarden.com/success-with-clematis/
From their site: "In Winsford’s example, we have seven clematis montana varieties which grow upwards of 30ft (10m) and these are all rooted up to 3ft (1m) away from the base of the south-facing north wall. A wall which can attain over 140F degrees in summer."
Not all of the class 1's will cover the entire garage so check the height. Here's my friend's Mayleen (first photo) so you can judge the coverage. She has moved but she did have to get on the roof to collect the debris every year or two so please keep that in mind.
Next photos are our own Montana grandiflora and I clip it back often (on the reverse side and at the right and left) or it would take over all the old fencing. As it is, we need to replace that fencing so I'll be able to report on how the drastic pruning goes and how the clematis reacted.
If you ever need to face painting the garage you will have to cut back the clematis so keep that in mind. The original owner of our home installed the type of fasteners in your link but I use a trellis instead on the rear of the brick fireplace wall (last photo). The fasteners do look good but keep in mind Group 1's sends up many shoots so they will twine in with each other so you won't need a fastener for every stem.
Good luck with your search and happy clematis hunting. Please keep us posted!
Thank you, pirl, that explanation and information is SO helpful. Your montana grandiflora is gorgeous. And the photo with the trellis is just lovely.
I think I will stay away from the clems that would grow long enough to sit on the roof. It looks beautiful, but I am scared of heights! I hope to have an arbor down by our shed someday-that would be perfect for that site. I will definitely have to put Montana grandiflora on my "Must-Have" plant list!
I'm going to check out those websites you mentioned and look for a clem that would grow maybe 12-15 feet long. Hopefully that will be the right size.
Edited to add: I guess I could handle a Pruning Group 2 as well-it wouldn't be a problem to cut it back to half and to train that half back through the trellis. What would you all do? Would you just pick whichever clematis you thought would look best in a particular spot, regardless of what pruning group it is in?
This message was edited May 6, 2013 7:37 PM
I'd go for Broughton Star. No other in that class impresses me so much. Just take a look at this one that we saw on Cape Cod. If you have to face hiring someone to get on the roof and clean up the debris it would be worth it (to me) since it's not an annual event.
Chances are most in Group/Class/Type 2 won't give you the stunning effect you want.
