Perennials: Vines
PLANTING A CLEMATIS
Clematis need a cool, moist, deep root run, plenty of water and regular, balanced feeding. A little special preparation will ensure the proper environment. Dig a hole eighteen inches deep by eighteen inches wide. Cover the bottom with a good rich compost or well rotted manure. A hand full of bone meal mixed with your soil is always a good idea. Add enough topsoil to cover the compost, now you are ready to plant. Place your well watered clematis in the hole so that about six inches of stem is below the soil line. The stem of clematis needs to be ripe before you bury it. If you are concerned about this, leave the final filling of the hole until later in the season. The stem of the newly planted clematis needs to be securely but carefully attached to a support so that damage to the stem does not occur. Planting a small shrub in front will ensure a cool root run for the clematis.
CLEMATIS GROUPS: FLOWERING / PRUNING
Group A
Flowers in spring on woody stems produced the previous season. Prune out weak or dead stems just after blooming is finished, usually in June. Choose hardy cultivars of Clematis alpina & Clematis macropetala.
Group B1
Generally not hardy in Calgary area.
Group B2
In our climate, most blooming usually occurs on new growth. Use pruning method for Group C.
Group C
Blooms on current season’s growth. Many hardy varieties are available. Prune back in spring to about 1 ft. (30cm). Leave 2 strong sets of buds per stem. This produces more flowers along the full length of the plant. Prune out weak or dead stems when you see them.
