Last spring I planted Jackmani (sp) on the north side of the house. It was bare root and grew very little. This spring it was coming up nicely and then we had a horrible hail storm that beat it back to the ground. It is now showing some growth and is about 12" tall. My question is.....how fast or slow do they grow? Will it cover an arbor this year? I've never had clematis before and don't know anything about them. I understand it likes full sun....is that correct? Thanks for any help!
Brinda :)
Clematis Question?
Brinda, clematis like good light and can handle full sun, but make sure you keep the ground mulched around the base of the plant. They like "cool roots". My Jackmanii is out in the full sun, but the bottom of the plant is very well shaded by other plants.
Hey Shirley...thanks so much! I will go out and mulch the base of the plants! I have other plants growing around it, but I'm sure it will need cool roots until they get up enough to shade it! Even on the north side of the house in Oklahoma is still full sun in the summer! LOL
Hi Brinda,
clematis are my new passion. I too planted a Jackmanii bare root last year, and I got very little growth and only 2 flowers. This year, I had it next to 1 of the legs of my shade canopy over my potting area. It is on the east side of the house & gets full sun until about 1pm. The roots are in a 5 gal pot that is in full shade. It has been blooming for a couple of weeks now & the flowers seem to last forever!
I doubt very much that you will get an arbor covered in 1 year. Also, I have been reading about suggestions to plant clematis with something else because the clematis only blooms once or twice a year & on their own without flowers, there is not much to them.
Hope that helps,
Donna
Brugie, another question about the shaded roots...is mulch enough shade do you think? or would a small shrub planted in front of them be a better choice? inquiring minds want to know........ :)
Personally, I would put shredded mulch around the base of the Clematis, but NOT touching the vine. Leave a little crater around the base. Also, a small plant in front of the Clematis will give extra shade and protection from the sun and drying winds. Remember, "head in the sun and feet in the shade".
Laura, I agree with Shirley1md. I don't have plants around the base of all of mine and the mulch is enough if you don't want other plants in the area.
Thanks, both of you! I'll file this for future reference and also pass it on to my cousin who was the one with the new clematis!!! thanks!