Growing Clematis
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When planting clematis a little extra effort in preparing a good home for it will solve many problems. The hole needs to be quite deep and your new plant should be planted about 3" deeper than the level it is currently growing from. This is the first step to beating clematis wilt disease. Next add a suitable compost to your hole mixing 1/3 compost to 2/3 of your own soil. Backfill the hole leaving some of the buds below the soil level and gently firm into place. Next, water the plant well.
Your clematis ideally needs to have its roots in the shade. If this is not possible you can use ground cover plants to help shade the base or decorative stones for bedding to keep the roots cool.
There should be something for your clematis to cling to. Many people train them up a trellis or fence, but you can also train them through shrubs and into trees to add extra interest throughout the year.
Always keep your clematis well watered as they prefer a moist well-draining soil. Keeping clematis in pots is becoming more and more popular but you must remember to keep the roots shaded, keep the clematis well fed, and also to keep the plant well watered, especially during the summer months.
Clematis pruning group I
Early-flowering varieties that generally flower between February and May, these produce flowers on previous seasons’ ripened stems. Pruning should be carried out after flowering by removing any dead or weak stems and cutting back any shoots that are not growing where you want them to. Varieties include: Montana, Multi Blue.
Clematis pruning group II
Clematis that flower between May and July, this group produces flowers mainly on old or the previous seasons’ stems. Cut back all healthy stems to a healthy pair of buds; in the second year cut back to 3' from the ground; in subsequent years reduce previous seasons growth by 12-18" in early spring. Varieties include: Bees Jubilee, Nelly Moser Elsa Spath, Niobe, Ramona, The President.
Clematis pruning group III
Clematis that flower between summer and early autumn, this group produces flowers on new seasons’ growth. Previous years growth should die back naturally over winter, so cut back all of the previous seasons’ growth to within 2-3' of the ground to a healthy pair of buds. Varieties include: Jackmanii, Dutches of Albany, Ernest Markham, Etoile Violette, Julia Correvon, Paniculata, Polish Spirit.
Always remember to check the label on the clematis you wish to purchase so you know when to prune it. However, some people plant clematis and never prune it.