fairly new jackmani

This is the second year I've had it -- the first year I grew it under a rose bush but there were other bushes shading it out and it didn't grow -- I thought I'd lost it -- last year I put it out in the sun with mulch around the roots ... it was just barely alive ... this year it's coming up on a single stem and looks pretty good ... but I didn't prune it back in the spring like I hear you should ... I'm thinking it's too late to prune it and since it's been struggling I should just leave it alone ... what do you experienced clematis growers think?

Here's a picture - not a clematis but just something that's growing now in my Hudson Valley garden ...

I wouldn't say I was an experienced Clematis grower, but are you referring to the little ball shaped green item on a stem or the lovely pink peony next to it. The ball shaped item is an allium. Alliums can be very decorative or useful, as in onions. Probably this is a decorative one. I assume you know that that gorgeous rose colored flower is a peony.

As I said in my text, that was not a picture of the clematis! I don't have a picture of the clematis -- just sharing a picture of my garden ...

I'd think it'd be a good idea to go ahead and prune it to encourage root growth and new shoots. Just don't prune after August.

Debbie

So how far back would I cut it? It's just a long single stem now ... kind of wimpy ...

Cut it back to about the 2nd strong pair of leaves from the ground.

Yes I woud cut it back too.

I have been told ( by an experienced clematis grower here) that Group C clematis do best against the warmth of a house foundation. I actually managed to kill at least 2 Jackmanii's ( which is the most common clematis grown here!) but they were both planted in a relatively open area on a lattice. So I mainly plant my 'C's by the house although I do have one against a lattice relatively open area that does beautifully.

P>S> love that combination in your pic - is that a Wiegela in the background and a blue iris hiding its face? The peony is lovely.

This message was edited Jul 22, 2007 6:46 AM

fancyvan -- yes that's a weigela wine and roses and I don't remember which tall bearded iris that is -- I got a few at the same time from Schreiner's ... thanks!