I bought a number of clematis this year in various co-ops, and suddenly realize I don't have a clue where to plant them. I have a red maple that isn't too big, and a rhododenron, and I thought I could have some of the plants grow up those. But I don't have trellises and don't really have a space for them. I don't have a mailbox or lamppost. (I do have a wooden fence I could try.)
What other ideas are there about structures to use to support Clematis? I bet there is a thread on this subject, but I couldn't find it.
What do you grow your clematis on?
You can get trellis netting like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQM7HM?ie=UTF8&tag=digigirl-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000BQM7HM
which you can attach to whatever you want your vine to climb - fences, walls, a trellis, etc. It is pretty inexpensive and you can cut it to whatever size and shape you need. It can be attached with hooks, nails bent over or even just some good size dabs of caulking, I expect.
I used zip ties to attach some to my trellis so that the delicate clematis tendrils could easily climb it. It was very easy and worked perfectly! I'm planning to do the same with my downspouts and a tree.
What is a zip tie? I think the trellis netting would be very messy by the end of the year, which is fine for clematis that get cut back to the ground each fall, but less so for those that don't.
Zip Ties = http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001IMMJS/102-3237444-5217747?ie=UTF8&tag=digigirl-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0001IMMJS
They come in a variety of sizes and colors and hold very tightly. I got mine at Home Depot in black to match my netting, then just snipped off the tail after they were zipped.
I'm not sure what you mean, messy? Wouldn't be any different than a trellis or any other kind of thing that a vine clings to, really. Just lightweight and made out of plastic.
I have mine growing up chicken wire on my fence.....
I like how you clipped your plant tag to the wire, Dawn. Very clever!
My wooden fence is very much like yours, Dawn. I had assumed the Clematis could hold onto the fence -- I gather that isn't right, and that I'll need to add chicken wire or the like. Did you try it without the wire?
Hi Devon,
Hope you've been growing those baby Clematis from various co-ops out in 1 gallon containers, because they're not ready for planting in your garden yet. They need time to develop a healthy root system in well amended soil, plus a handful of bone meal.
It's waaay to hot to plant them out now. In October, see if the roots are beginning to poke out of the drainage holes or dig up the entire rootball and see if it has a well developed network of roots. If not, re-pot it back into its 1 gallon container. Some varieties are more vigorous in growth than others. It's a wait and see type of thing.
The trellis netting or chicken wire are both excellent ways for the Clematis to grow. Over the years, the Clematis will fill in and you won't be able to see the structure that it is climbing on. If you have for example an integrifolia Clematis, which is non-vining, you could use it as a nice ground cover or have it romping through other plants. In other words, not all Clematis will vine, some sprawl and some make compact plants. It depends which ones you have.
Shirley -- they are in 1 quart containers, if that, but doing very well. It sounds as if I should move them to gallon containers once they fill up the quarts, and then just wait until next year to plant them out -- which is a wonderful result, because I have too much to do right now!
I am a complete ignoramous about Clematis, but I think the kinds I have are all vining. I'm going to look into the integrifolia Clematis now, though.
happy_macomb I never tried it without the chicken wire cause I just understood that the clems needed something to cling to and my fence isn't really the type for anything to cling to however I never tried it...the chicken wire worked great and all I did was staple it on LOL!!! I went into dh's toolbox and got his heavy duty stapler and went to town. I have other areas where the chicken wire is totally covered so you just need to give it time to grow...that pic was actually taken a while ago....
Devon: Definitely re-pot those quart size babies into 1 gallon containers, amend soil and keep well watered. They'll should put out a lot of new growth by the Fall.
Shirley: Should I leave them in the pots over the winter? I do that with a lot of pots, and as long as I keep them protected from snow and freezing rain, most potted plants do fine.
If you don't see any roots poking through at the bottom of a 1 gallon container, then I would 'hill in' or submerge the Clematis in the pot in your garden. This will help to insulate it. This way it will still grow and get moisture from Mother Nature. Once the Clematis fills the 1 gallon container, you'll need to dig up the pot very carefully and then replant the Clematis as usual.
In answer to your initial question, I have a large birdcage that makes an interesting trellis with my Nelly Moser on it. Here is a pic, but it was after the bloom last year.
Wow! Does a bird live there?
No, I used to have a pair of African Greys that lived in it in the house, but when they got a new cage, this one became a trellis. It's really pretty when Nelly's in bloom.
That is a lovely birdgage. Never would have thought of that.
I remember once seeing a link to place a "cage" over a downspout. Anyone ?
bananna18 LeeValley Tools sells a downspout 'cage'.
Thankyou!!!!Hopefully next year I will post my clematis growing up the "waterspout"
Fancyvan: Would you please post the link to the "cage?" I couldn't find it.
http://www.leevalley.com/home.aspx
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10442&cat=2,33286&ap=1
This message was edited Oct 15, 2007 8:41 PM
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10442&cat=2,33286
See if that works. It looks like a good idea!
I'm growing a wal mart 'Gillian Blades' on the front porch railing. It was in a gallon pot and it's almost 3 feet high now. I wonder if it will bloom next year, I've never grown them before.
Hello, I was just lingering around and reading about Clematis, I bought a few this summer but really don't expect them to grow here as it's too hot (I've always loved the look of them mingled between roses which I have alot of) they are in quart containers at the moment and small but have put out new growth since I purchased them. Just a question, I have them in under my large oak tree so they get dappled shade all day since they are so small I thought this was best but thought I'd ask the pros on here?
You also mentioned bone meal, should I put a little bit of this in with them also?
thank you everyone and sorry to happy_macomb for interrupting.
~Samantha
You can grow clematis in containers although I dont know much about it. Probably some of the dedicated clematis sites or societies would have that information.
YOu can also grow them up the trees which would give them shade in our area - A tyle best for that as you dont have to cut them down.
I usually put some compost and a bit of bone meal in the bottom of the hole before planting.
Astcgirl: Great questions, and you weren't interrupting at all. Glad to have you here.
I know very little about them but they grow like crazy for a newbie like me. I have about 85 but only 55 or so are of different varieties. I buy trellis and i even took down a TV tower, you know the kind about 36' tall very slim attached to the side of many houses when antennas were popular they held the antennas off the roofs. I broke it down to 3 sections. Each about a 12' tall tower of aluminum. I painted them black& put black bird netting on them. I put all 3 in a long bermed area I have. I planted each one with one climbing rose and 3 clematis. Every one loves them. I will try to post a pic. of them. Oh yeah the topof the sectional old antennae tower has a round piece in the top that just fits a small gazing ball so i have a lovely gazing ball in it . It gave me a place for 9 clems. I have them climbing up trees, on roses, on fences, pergolas, etc...
I love them. I even had 4 lattice screens made to be able to plant 3 on each of those. I will post a pic of that too. I have to go out and get the pics!!
Remember some climb, some ramble, some are bushes, some are short, etc.
Chicken wire and clematis are a great paring. I put chicken wire on the tree trunks that I want the clems to climb.
I am a clematis freak because i know nothing and they grow and flower for me like crazy!!!
Wow Jazzzy704 it sounds magical, would love to see a picture of your garden and the idea of the TV antennas sounds great (still not quite sure exactly what you mean) but especially that you can put a gazing ball into it sounds terrific. I have heaps of roses in my garden so putting a clematis inbetween them sounds like something I'd like to do.
~Samantha
I will try to get pics tomorrow and post.
My pics of my TV antenaes were taken after the sun went down but they are too dark. I did get one of my 4x12' screns I had made to grow my clems on. i will show the antennae pics. but I'll try to get new ones.
Heres another pic.
I'm sending my bad picture of the antennae now.
Thank you Jazzzy704 for posting, that antennae will look gorgeous covered in clematis vines. And the ball ontop just makes it more dramatic. I'll be scouring around for some of those...lol. Your lattice looks great too, unfortunately I do not have enough room for such large structures but maybe some lattice and inch or two away from the fence may work. Thank you for posting the pics....they really helped.
~Samantha
I enjoyed your photos -- thanks!
I've got a better antennae picture. Look here..
I screwed 8 one" by four" by 8' pressure treated lumber onto 4x4 fence posts and the gap between the fence itself and the trellis is working as a great trellis. I'll try to get a pic today. They aren't in bloom right now,but the rope of leaves is quite dramatic on the trellis.
posy Please post a pic. I am intrigued. I always want to find different ways to have more vertical
growth in the garden. I'll be looking for your pic!!
Julie
I was just out in the pouring rain trying to get a pic or two Jazzy. My camera is a 35mm and old,but I will post any that turn out. Even if they aren't that good, you should get the idea. I'm on a trellis-building kick right now and at this rate,no one will see the fence behind them, which will suit me just fine;) This Trellis is 15ft tall and 8ft. wide. MY,but I'm a cockeyed optimist;-)))) OK!OK! OFF TO THE PHOTO SHOP SOON.