CLEMATIS Facts

COLORS

White, pink, red, purple

LIGHT

Partial shade to partial sun

SOIL

Rich, well drained

WATER

When soil becomes dry

pH

5.5 to 6.5

HARDINESS

Very cold hardy, may struggle in summer heat

TIP

Plant near porches or patios, or train vines over an open fence.

CLEMATIS

Clematis is a hardy perennial vine that produces an abundance of beautiful flowers from late spring to early summer. Flower color varies with selection, but all of the large-flowered clematis are a breathtaking sight when in bloom. You will need a trellis for clematis or you can train the vine to grow up a building or through an open shrub. The ideal site for clematis has soil that receives some shade, but plenty of sun higher on the vine where the foliage and flowers grow.

You will need a trellis for clematis or you can train the vine to grow up a building or through an open shrub.

FERTILIZING CLEMATIS

Clematis vines have extensive roots close to the soil's surface. These roots benefit so much from a thick mulch that the mulch can almost be considered a fertilizer. In early spring, just as new growth appears, spread a 2-foot wide circle of compost, composted manure, peat moss, or other organic material around the plants to keep the roots cool and moist. Do not add fertilizer at this time. If you fertilize your clematis before it blooms, the flowers may be disappointingly short-lived as the vine rushes to grow new leaves.

When the flowers fade, it is time to fertilize. Work a Vigoro^® Timed Release Flower and Vegetable plant food into the top inch of mulch, and then add and additional inch of mulch to keep the roots cool through the summer. Combined with a rich organic mulch, this feeding will provide your vine with all the nutrients it needs to form new buds and branches for next year's display.

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