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Re: Clematis

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

Dear Nickie,

I was interested in whether you love clematis too!

I have read everything I could find on the subject of clematis. I admit it,
I am in love with clematis, especially the Niobe, Jackmani "Superba", and
Ville de Lion types. Many others are beautiful as well.. well worth the time
and effort for 25 years or more of robust, beautiful vines.

Clematis are heavy feeders needing deep, rich well-drained soil. Those who
grow them have a saying: "clematis need their heads in  the sun and their
feet in the shade." Partial/light shade is ok and actually best for most
clematis. When you are done planting them, plant a ground cover such as
vinca minor, or bugle weed, or a nice daylily on the sunny side of the crown
(within 6-8 inches) of the clematis to give the clematis roots the cool
shade they must have to do well.

Clematis are grouped into three groups for pruning purposes. group 1 flower
in the spring on old wood. Group 2 flower in the summer on old wood, and may
flower in the fall on new wood. Group 3 flower only on new wood from summer
to fall. In zones 5 or higher, any group should be ok to try. In zone 4, 3,
etc. we can expect frost damage to the old wood whenever we have a harsh
winter.

Because of this frost damage and the extra care required (burying the vines,
etc.) to grow group 1 and 2 in my zone of 3a (Edmonton, Alberta) I am
choosing to grow only group 3 clematis. Luckily group 3 includes many, many
incredible large-flowered clematis that flower on new wood (new growth from
the "ground up"of the present year) only. This means that if you have a
heavy winter in your area it will kill the tops of the clematis but the
roots will be ok and grow from ground level to flower in summer and fall
like nothing happened... lol!

What I have learned says your clematis should not fail if you:

1.    dig a 2 ft. deep by 18 inch wide by 3 feet long hole ( or just a "big"
hole)
2.    put 4-6 inchs of sand, or broken pot pieces, or gravel, for good
drainage in bottom of hole
3.    Mix up your soil with plenty of organic matter, fill the hole up
4.    plant the clematis (group 3 especially) 4 inches deeper than it was
previously                            to protect from frost. This will not
hurt the clematis.
5.    water well.
6.    install a sturdy trellis unpainted is best
7.    pinch off flower buds for the first year to promote root growth.
8.    prune all branches back to 18 inches above ground level in late fall
       (group 3 only) every year.

Watch out for the year after. Your clematis should just honk with flowers!

Have a great day,
bill missen.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Sammy's huwumin" <jcosler@mindspring.com>
To: "Square Foot Gardening List" <sqft@listbot.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 12:25 PM
Subject: Re: Clematis


Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

i personally don't think they are all that easy to grow successfully,
tho I certainly see lots of great specimens!  I think the more sun
(prolly up to a point) is better; cool roots!!  Something to climb on.
Proper pruning in order to get flowers -- the pruning times are a
little complicated.  HTH (some!).

On Thu, 6 Apr 2000 08:02:40 -0500, you wrote:

>Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html
>
>Speaking of clematis ... is there a  secret to growing clematis?  My mom
>grows everything well, but her clematis doesn't do much.  I bought one and
>will plant it in next day or two.  Says sun, partial shade, or shade.
Help!
>... Nickie
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Bill Missen <billmissen@sprint.ca>
>> What goes on your trellis? Would you be planting any clematis?
>>
>
>
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