I have just gingerly, carefully, prayerfully installed a new clematis in my rose bed: Franziska Maria. It's a beautiful purple/blue, in a bed that's part sun/part shade (sun is afternoon for about 4-5 hours). I lost a clematis last year in a different spot that I either 1) planted poorly or 2) didn't tend properly when we had three hard freezes after a drought. Bad me.
But I'd like to be good to this one. It's a bed that has been amended according to area recommendations. The bed drains well. I have mulched the clematis' feet, and it's near a fence that roses and moonflower happily climb, so I think it's got a good prop for growing.
I have been reading up on clematis' care, but can anyone give me the 2-3 most common mistakes people make when growing these beauties in the South Central US?
This message was edited Jun 1, 2007 9:32 AM
Nervous Nellie w/new Clematis
Suzannah..the most common mistakes most people make with clematis is :
#1. Not planting them deep enough or planting too immature a plant directly into their gardens
Clematis that are tiny should be grown out in a one gallon pot until the roots are coming out of the bottom of the pot before planting directly into the gardens..I do this in Spring.... I dig a hole and drop the pot in the garden and usually by fall I can pull the pot up and see that it's big enough to plant..fall is great for us as we have a nice long cool wet fall and the roots have a glorious time growing and adapting
Clematis should be planted 2-4 inches deeper than the pot they are in with a handful of bonemeal..also you can removed the leaves on the first leaf axil and plant that into the soil (which is making it deeper than the pot) and you'll have an extra plant that roots ..making the plant stronger and better
#2. Not watering enough...I find growing clematis in our hotter zones are done best in morning sun..6-8 hours..don't get me wrong I have some in afternoon/full sun..but those I am anal about keeping watered..the kiss of death is to let clematis roots dry out too much...the old adage you read, "Clematis like to have their roots shaded and their heads up in the Sun"..Simply put means..they like their root systems to stay moist...NOT SOGGY WET..but moist...they like to drain well..
Also, just because your clematis didn't come back ..doesn't mean it's dead..sometimes a clematis can wilt and be gone for 1 or even 2 year and then BOOM they come back up stronger and better than ever..quite common with pruning group 2's..so yours may still come back..just don't neglect that area and water it..clematis flourish in much colder zones than yours and can take freezes...
#3. Buy a clematis for it's roots..the bigger the rootsystem..the better your clematis will flourish..so try reputable clematis growers..there are many we talk about on here that have glorious root systems and always do just beautifully once planted into our gardens..Viticellas/pruning group 3's are the best ones for beginners to get their appetite wet with and build confidence..they are vigorous and floriferious....
Hope this helps...Jeanne
Heed Jeanne's words. She is the clematis gospel. What she said about them coming back is very true. I thought I had one, but as of today I am up to 4 that I planted 10 years ago that have come back to life since I've gotten back in the garden and started amending soil, watering, feeeding etc. Also, when you feed your roses, feed your clematis. They enjoy similar care and conditions. Another reason they work so well together.