Hi all,
I wanted to start some clematis this year. We have a split rail fence and I thought it would be beautiful to plant a different clematis hybrid under each section of fencing to cover the fence in a variety of colors and flowers. I bought the bulbs (tubers?) from Lowe's because they had all different kinds. Well, for some reason, I did all my research AFTER I planted them (I never do that) and can only find advice that talks about planting already established plants. I just used a bulb digger, plopped them in a few inches deep and covered them back up. From everything I've read, not only might it take a few years for them to grow but they should have been covered in a good fertilized compost. Can somebody help me? I only put them in a few weeks ago so I could dig them back up and restart them in pots or better holes or whatever if I need to.
Thanks so much...I feel completely retarded and have totally learned my lesson. Research BEFORE buying plants!! =)
Clematis newbie questions
Clematis are neither bulbs nor tubers. They are generally sold with a significant amount of top growth and a good root system.
I wonder what you bought? Can you dig one up and get a picture?
I'll definitely do that tomorrow. I planted a bunch of dahlias at the same time so maybe I'm confusing myself. I've traveled 2,000 miles in the car since then! They were definitely small though - they came in small plastic bags inside small cardboard boxes with the pictures on the front.
OK so maybe just take a picture of the box picture instead of digging something up.
Or both!
Sounds like you bought "Bare roots"...Jeanne
so if they're "bare roots", i'll need to wait about three years right? First year sleep, second year creep, third year leap?? That's really a bummer. I may have to cave in and get some that are already potted. =)
Fear not! In time they will catch up but I'd dig them up and keep them potted for the first year, like Jeanne does. Use some bone meal and good compost and don't be afraid to plant them deep. Jeanne can give you more instructions once you decide if you'll dig or not.
Pirl is correct..they must be potted up as she said and kept moist..I personally don't care for growing clematis from bareroots...they take about 4 years to Leap instead of three and if not kept moist don't make it..you really should check out Jerome's clematis..they are excellent and what a wonderful price..can't be beat!!..Jeanne
http://koigardenclub.com/Clematis.htm
Tell him Jeanne in Texas sent ya and he'll do ya right..his can be planted directly in the ground..I planted 14 of his last fall and they are HUGE this year
Wow! First time I ever heard of bare root clematis!
Live and learn!
I think im gonna buy some from koigardenclub. They look great and a two year gaurantee is hard to beat. Now, to get myself to spend the money and not feel guilty. Ive been buying lots of stuff via co ops!!!
I have the exact same problem and I also think ahead when all those plants I ordered arrive and how crazed I'll be getting them all planted or potted.
I keep telling myself its ok to spend rediculous amounts of money on plants. Its O.K.! But then i watch my money slowly or quickly trickle away. I figure if i dont buy plants then ill just spend it on something else less worthy like bills or something. LOL
Don't forget that Jerome has even MORE clematis on his EBAY SITE!! Plus other plants too!!..He is awesome...Jeanne
http://stores.ebay.com/Koi-Garden-Club_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQtZkm
enabler!!! Are they cheaper there??? i cant imagine they are cus his sale is great. Ok, ok, ok. im gonna go to his site and buy the five i already picked out and almost bought! geeeeeeese!!!LOL
Glad to hear that Jeanne as I ordered 6 or 12 clematis from him a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't resist the price although I do not need anymore clems. I also have NO IDEA where they will be planted. But the fact that you put them in the ground makes me happy since I tend to kill things that I have to pot up :( So in the ground they go :)
Venue..I have an easy trick for you about potting up clematis..first find a place in your garden WHERE you know you'll see and be each day and dig a hole and drop the potted clematis into the soil..pull the soil back up around the sides of the pot and firm..then..just water...the pot being in the soil..helps it to retain the moisture and is in a place you won't forget..
Here is the bed where I planted the new clematis I got from Jerome last fall...Man you should see how they are taking off!!!
And here are the ones that I planted..I took a pic last fall and put the name on the pics..I have plant markers coming from the Co-op and will place them then!!
and this side
Thanks all for the info!! Jeanne, you're a life saver. We have a greenhouse so I'll just pot them up and keep them in there for a few years until they take off. I hate to waste any living thing. But I'll order some others from your guy! Thanks again!!
Jeanne, when you sink the pots into the ground, do you cut out the bottom? How do the roots do?
Hey Jeanne, I just tried to email Jerome at: koibrain@koigardenclub.com and I got a permanent failure message. Do you have a different email addy for him by chance? Thanks!!
This message was edited Mar 30, 2008 1:47 PM
No I don't cut the bottom out of the pots..the roots will come out through the holes in the bottom of the pot and WHEN you see that you KNOW they are ready to be planted into your gardens....usually about 6 months in a one-gallon pot for those immature clematis plants is generally long enough in my estimation....His email address is : koibrain@koigardenclub.com
I just emailed him this morning and had no problems..you should try again..I paid with Paypal this morning!!..Jeanne
I just ordered six of them from koi, what great prices!!!! You cant beat that. Cant wait to see em.
I have never grown clemantis and would like to know if Houston zone 9a can grow them??? Will they servive a freeze like this winter? (28) Thanks for your help.
jana
I bought 14 from Koi Garden Club on eBay late last summer, put them in 1 gal pots until the end of Oct, then put them in the ground. They were putting roots out the bottom of the containers when I did, and they're coming up beautifully this spring.
Jana..sure you can grow them there...I am just North of you in Willis!!..The trick to growing them here is to plant them where the soil will stay moist and usually Morning Sun and afternoon Shade..I have some in full sun that do really well too..but I have a Sprinkler and a drip system that ensures they receive their much needed moisture~! Clematis are survivors and can be grown in zone 4!!..we don't have to worry about that tho!!
Flwrgirl!!..Good for you..you are gonna love them!!...Jeanne
Thanks Jeanne for your help. This is my first time on this site and I am still trying to figure out what to do. I was on a site earlier and they spoke about Wayside Plants. I got on and ordered Passiflorias,hibiscus,and many irises. I didn't order any clematis because I didn't know about them. Are the clematis flowers simular to the passifloria?. The pics kinda look alike in some.
jana
While they may have some resemblance..they are totally different in their needs..whatever you do DON'T order clematis from Wayside...people must read those very well as some are selling "Bare roots" not plants and I hate to see a newbie get discouraged about Clematis from trying to grow them from bare roots..they just take forever and many die if not treated properly and some are dried out and worthless...Jeanne
If you read this http://www.waysideclematis.com/ closely you'll see they are so-called two year old "dormant" bare roots...not worth wasting your money..do try Jerome
Thanks Jeanne, I didn't know what to look for. I also got on 'Paradise Gardens'. Her prices are so high compared to Jerome. I saw your pics on Texas Gardening.... so beautiful. I am going to place an order with Jerome as soon as I figure out what I want !!!!! ( and how many I can afford after I just spent $$$ at Wayside.) Thanks again for your help.
jana
Anytime Jana!!..and Welcome to the world of Clematis!!..Hugzzzz..Jeanne
Will Jerome's Clematis bloom the first year?
Jeanne, That garden is going to be absolutely beautiful! Can't wait to see pics of them all in bloom. Your trellises are really nice too.
Yes Jip..they will bloom...Thanks Gold..I'll share pics when they bloom..Clematis "Royalty" has its first HUGE purple bud ...getting ready to open any day...how exciting!!..Jeanne
Jeanne: Your gardens will be the envy of everyone at DG!
Aww..maybe only in my dreams..LOL..I've got people stopping and asking what the names of Clematis...they've never seen nor grown them before..I plan on converting as much of Texas as I can to grow them..You just hardly ever find them in nurseries here!!..
Well,,, I did it !!!! I just ordered 10 clematis from Koigardens and I am so excited. I couldn't stop and still kept looking at more**** then I get on here and see the name 'Royalty' and have to look it up now.
hahaha ,, thank's alot Jeanne. I found Jerome's wholesaler and sure wish I had a license to buy wholesale, but you have to buy so many I would have a hard time giving away or selling them.
jana
I have a newbie question too! I planted three viticellas in fall 06 found at walmart clearance 2.00 ea. I love them! In 07 two grew and flowered most of the summer. One started coming up in the spring but got broken off by something ( probably neighbors dog she lays around our yard lol) and it never came back up and I thought it died. I was doing spring cleanup yesterday and voila...there it was coming up. Do they sometimes do that lay around for a whole year underground? I was really pleased and surprised.
It's not uncommon for a clematis to disappear for a year..usually it's the pruning group 2's but I've had some 3's do that when my gardeners decided they wanted to help out more than just the mowing and edging!!..grrrrrr..I told them to NEVER weed..I can do that myself thank you very much!!
Wholesale?..Who..maybe we can get Jerome to do a Co-op?..hmmmm...now we're talking!@!...Jeanne
Ooooooh,co-op . . . drooling : P ~~~~~~~
anyone have a start of autumn sweet clematis to share? I would love some for long wood fence. I have a few things to trade, no clematis yet though...too young. I have planted viticella (3) , polish spirit, firecracker, henryii ( bloomed lovely first time last spring) , multi blue....Thats it so far!