Where Innovative Gardeners'
Ideas Take Root!
Brian and Cindy Tibbetts
202 Bean Street Turner,
Maine 04282
(207) 224-8220
hummingbird@megalink.net
We'd Love to Hear From You!
Keep the tag that comes with your clematis.
It contains helpful information on pruning that you will need to refer to in the future!
1. Dig and Prepare a large hole.
Dig a hole about the size of a bushel basket. Mix the soil you have removed from the hole with 10 pounds or so of good quality compost. Add a handful or two of bonemeal to the mixture. Replace the enriched soil mixture in the hole. (Yes, we know this sounds like boot camp, but you'll just have to trust us!)
2. Plant your Vine.
Make a hole in the enriched soil mixture big enough to hold the root ball of your vine. Fill this hole with water and wait while the water drains out. Place the root ball in the hole. Making sure to bury the clematis 2 to 3 inches deeper than it was planted in its pot, fill around it with the soil mixture you removed. Water again to settle the soil in place.
3. Keep the roots cool and moist.
There are two ways you can do this. You can mulch the roots with bark mulch, straw or some other organic material. Or you can plant low growing perennials around the base of your clematis. We can help you choose appropriate perennials.
4. Keep your plant well watered for the first summer.
Young vines need at least an inch of water a week and if Mother Nature doesn't provide it, you'll have to.
5. Pruning.
Pruning requirements vary depending on the group of clematis and when they bloom. Very briefly, Group 1 clematis do not need to be pruned, Group 2 need moderate pruning and Group 3 require hard pruning. Pruning should be done in very late winter or early spring while the plants are still dormant. For more information on pruning and this "Group" business, click HERE.
Remember:
First year they sleep,
Second year they creep,
Third year they leap!