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| Dear Casual Gardener, Clematis vines are the most beautiful flowering vines in my opinion. I bought several and have had to water mine constantly to keep it from wilting. Am I doing something wrong or are Clematis just difficult plants to maintain? Signed, The Clematis Kid = = = = = = = = = = = = = Succeeding with clematis is EASY, so I have a few secrets to success to help you with yours. The benefit of clematis is that they are quite drought tolerant if planted properly. This will help you save money on watering and be better for the environment. My advice is to read labels carefully when you select a vine because the labels will tell you what size and pruning requirements the vine will have. Some clematis vines can grow vigorously above twenty feet, sprawling over arbors and fences. Others can stay quite compact and be grown from a pot if desired. Clematis all flower, but many have differing flowering forms. My favorite clematis for strong bloom are Jackmanii and The President. Be sure to select a robust clematis, and make sure the planting area is appropriate for the variety you have chosen. Although it can take several years for a clematis vine to mature and begin flowering vigorously, planting with the future full grown stature of the plant will ensure a better chance of success. Keep in mind you will have to assist it with climbing supports for the best display. Although some clematis cultivars will tolerate partial shade, the best spot for a clematis is in a place that receives six to eight hours of full sun per day. Clematis do best with a moist, well-drained soil. However, I have found if you utilize the old expression, “Dig a $50 hole for your $5 clematis,” your clematis will survive quite well with drought conditions. Dig a hole in the soil twice the size of the clematis root ball. Next, work in lots of compost, water retentive crystals, and granular organic fertilizer. When planting, position the plant slightly deeper than it was growing in the pot, so the first set of true leaves is just under the soil surface. It sounds to me like you planted your plant higher than the soil surface, so it is unable to retain water well. Replanting it properly will be the key to help your vine survive. Be sure to water heavily at the base of the plant once a week during the first season to help it become acclimated. Mulch heavily around the clematis base without smothering the crown as clematis truly enjoy shaded, cool roots, while having hot sun exposure on the foliage. Often, I plant other perennials such as daylilies at the base of a clematis vine. This helps encourage the shaded roots which clematis prefer so watering becomes less and less of an issue. Early in the spring it is a good idea to add a shovelful of compost and some organic granular fertilizer to the roots – it helps with drought tolerance and root growth. I have about ten to twelve clematis plants on my small property and find they are a real joy in the garden. Be patient and you will be rewarded with an explosion of color every summer. A great place to learn about clematis online is at www.clematis.org, which is the American Clematis Society’s website. Happy Clematis Gardening!! Please send your gardening questions for Shawna Coronado, The Casual Gardener to dearshawna@thecasualgardener.com or The Casual Gardener, P.O. Box 358, Warrenville, IL 60555 |
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