RE: [Rose-list] Clematis

**"* S* <S*@schwabe.com>**

I don't know where you live or your growing conditions, but to plant
clematis:

Dig a hole about 18 inches x 18 inches deep. Fill with mushroom compost
(they like alkaline soil and I have acidic -- you may have to adjust this
depending on your soil), compost a handful of dolomite lime (again trying to
balance my acid soil for them) and bone meal (to promote root growth) and
some of the removed soil.  Mix well.  Pull enough of this out to set your
clematis in the whole.  The CROWN of the plant should be several inches
(about 6 for me) BELOW WHAT WILL BE GROUND LEVEL.  Then if the stem is
snapped by you, weather or pets, it can regrow from roots.  Water the plant
in.

For the first couple of years they need quite a bit of water, you probably
could not overwater them.  Once they develop a more woody stem in maturity,
it's not as crucial.

If you are using a plant as a host for the clematis, make sure you plant the
clematis at least a foot or more away from the host so they are not
competing for water and food.  Try never to plant the base of the plant
under your house eves.  They will not get enough supplemental water during
the off seasons.  Plant it out from under the eaves and train it back toward
the house, if that is your goal.

Most clematis need a fair amount of light, there are exceptions.

All clematis are trimmed back to about 1 foot for the first few years to
encourage growth from the base in early spring.

DO NOT buy 4" pots, unless you are willing to baby them along for a year (at
least) in a pot and DO NOT buy those boxed varieties in dry peat -- it is a
waste of money.  

DO BUY one gallon sized plants and part with the money.  It is essential for
success unless you have a lot of time to babysit them the first few years.

Once they get past the first few years, except for pruning, or if you choose
to deadhead for better repeat, they are practically maintenance free.

I am not expert gardener, for sure, but I have about 40 clematis in my
garden that are thriving.  This is the voice of 10 years experience in
growing them, for what it's worth.  And yes, I have lost several over the
years -- even one this year for no reason I can guess, but it had never done
well where it was from the beginning.  Mine is not to question why, but just
to replant another variety I want to try!

BUT REMEMBER, I live in the PNW which is similar to England's climate, and
they love it here.  I really can't speak for other areas of the country.

Susan Saxton, zone 6b  SHE WHO BOUGHT AND PLANTED 12 MORE CLEMATIS THIS
YEAR..... 
For mine is a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come
together to praise the Lord and teach all who look upon them to do
likewise.
Celia Thaxter

I AM in shape.  ROUND is a shape!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Margot Kane [m*@mindspring.com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 1999 9:34 PM
> To: rose-list@mallorn.com
> Subject: [Rose-list] Clematis
> 
> 
> Okay, what is the secret?  I have tried at least 5 different kinds of
> clematis.  The only one that is doing anything is the paniculata (fall
> blooming one).  The others either died or sent up one tendril 
> about 6' high
> with maybe 6 flowers.  AFter 3 years of doing this, in the 
> middle of last
> summer, this particular one turned brown and appears to be gone.  Any
> suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> Margot
> Zone 6/7
> 
> 
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