Hello, I have recently purchased 3 clematis for my garden. They are Niobe, H.F. Young, & Roko Kolla. The area i have chosen is an all day sun southern facing fence. They will be planted on an 8ft wide by 7 foot tall trellis. How far away from the trellis should I plant them? They are only about 15 inches tall right now. Reading though some of the other forums i see i can use rose food on them. Should I add any other amendments to the soil before planting? And what is the growth rate for these clematis? Any help is greatly appreciated as i would like to get these plants in ground by tomorrow night. Thank you for your time.
Kevin
New at Clematis
You can add some bone meal to the planting hole. The clematis should be planted at least 2 feet apart and you can put them pretty close to the trellis, maybe about six or so inches out. You will also have to plant something in front of them to protect the roots from the sun. If you have nothing in mind, use coleus for the time being. They will grow fast and then you can take your time considering what you want to put there permanently. How fast they grow is hard to determine. I planted one last year and it just sat for a month before it put on any new growth. Usually it's three years before they put on a real show and then they just get better and better. I have a few this year that took off right away and set some blooms, others that have not. If you don't see blooms this year, you should see a few next, but don't expect fireworks. What is that saying about plants? The first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap.
beaker thank you for the advice. I put some petunias in front of them. Wouldn't ya know they where having a sale on perennials 50 % off. So 1 flat of annuals turned in to 3 flats of perennials. I thought wife was gonna shoot me when i got home. LOL Well got planting to do.
Kevin
Just point out to her you could have a lot worse habits. Good luck with your clematis. Well worth the investment.
Kevin, did ya plant em a couple inches deeper than they were in the pot? I didn't know to do this and have dug up and replanted several of mine and built the soil up on a few others.
Debbie
Baja is correct, Kevin. Sorry, I forgot to mention it. The crown needs to be an inch or two under the soil surface or the clem will eventually die out.