RE: clematis/vines

Pruning would depend on the type you choose.  Be sure to choose one that will get tall enough to grow into the tree, but one that won't swamp it.  

The main secret to planting clematis into shrubs or small trees (or large ones, for that matter) are twofold:

1. Put the clematis 2-3 feet from tree trunk so the competition for nutrients isn't as stiff or get a LARGE pot that can be left outdoors all year and put the clematis in that, training it toward the tree on a stake; and

2. Plant the clematis so that it can grow naturally toward the light.  This is not essential, but saves a lot of time of trying to force it to grow in a direction it doesn't want to grow.

Keeping it well watered thereafter is essential, even when mature, because most trees are water hogs ;-)  

But it works!  I have a 25' plum tree and probably 4-5 clematis planted in varying degrees around it about 4' from the truck.  These are trained into other shrubs and/or on the fence, not into the tree itself, but they still thrive in this if well watered.

I do have a white potato vine (solanum jasminoides?) that is starting to grow into this large tree, though.  It amazes me the treatment plants take.  Not only does this tree steal most of the good stuff, but the plants are subjected to mostly shade and then hot end of day sun and still thrive.


-----Original Message-----
From: Cheryl Isaak [c*@adelphia.net]
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 10:31 AM
To: perennials@hort.net
Subject: RE: clematis


>TWO FREDA ANEOMONE AND TWO CARNABY  
>
>SUSAN,  WHERE ON EARTH DO YOU HAVE 70 CLAMATIS PLANTED?  YOU MUST 
>HAVE TRELLIS AND ARCHES ALL AROUND YOUR PROPERTY.
>
>Dee Ann, I do have Carnaby and it is lovely -- although not 
>especially vigorous.  As for the Freda Anemone -- I believe this is 
>a Montana and most get HUGE -- 40-60 feet!!!!  So check it out 
>before you plant it somewhere!  These are VIGOROUS -- and could pull 
>down gutters and other plants!
>
>As for 70 clematis -- I have a garden acquaintance with a smaller 
>garden than mine with 200!  Clematis naturally grow through shrubs 
>and small trees, etc. and that is how I grow most of mine.  Only a 
>very few are on arbors or trellises.  Most grow through shrub or 
>climbing roses and the rest through shrubs that only bloom once or 
>not at all -- more "bang for your buck" that way.  ;-)

Oh I would love to see that! I want a clematis, just don't have a 
spot that says put one here!.  Though I have thought about through 
the crab apple.....
But how would I prune it?
Cheryl
-- 
Cheryl Isaak
Londonderry, NH
AHS Region 4, USDA Zone 4B/5A
growing, stitching and reading in NH

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