If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the delicate beauty of clematis vines, you are not alone. Many gardeners admire these stunning vines from afar, convinced they are too tricky and fragile to grow. But what if I told you that clematis can thrive in your garden with just a few insider tips? Hi, this is Adam from yard of paradise, and I am going to share five things you may not know about growing clematis to help reduce the stress and intimidation often associated with these queens of flowering vines.

Variety of Clematis Types

Clematis are available in a wide range of species, varieties, and forms, including bushy, dwarf, tall, and vining types. Knowing the differences can help you select the perfect one or two for your garden. They are broadly categorized into groups based on their blooming periods and growth habits.

You can find them with blooms ranging from small and abundant to large and unique, up to six inches across or more. Clematis vines are available in every shade of the rainbow, featuring a variety of flower forms such as flat, star-shaped, bell-shaped, and both single and double blooms. Some can bloom early on old wood and then bloom again on new wood, while others bloom later in the season. And some even showcase an extended bloom time, such as sweet summer love and the most popular variety of all time, jackmanii.

Myclematis josephine is one of the many re-blooming types of clematis that begins its show in early May into June, with a re-bloom later in the season after cutting the plant back by half. This not only controls its overall growth, but also encourages new flower buds to develop. Another option for some are bush clematis that form a small hedge.

Clematis Chloe puts on a show for months on end, and the re-blooming power will amaze you. I do still offer a support trellis to keep it contained within the landscape, but feel free to let this group run loose or even grow an evergreen hedge. Each type of clematis brings its own unique beauty and charm. So be sure to plant several different varieties in your landscape to enjoy them for an extended period of time.

Pruning Simplified

During my 20-year span as manager of a local garden center, questions about clematis pruning came up daily. However, it is not as complicated as it may seem. Clematis vines have specific pruning requirements that relate to the timing and matter of pruning. Knowing which type of clematis you have will help you achieve the best success. When shopping for clematis vines, you may notice signs around the plants indicating specific pruning techniques for the three main groups of clematis, usually referred to as ABC or 123. However, I learned a trick. Replacing the corresponding letters or numbers with that of a traffic light. So a red light means stop, a yellow light means slow, and a green light means go.

Group C (Green Light)

Group C or number three would correspond to the green light. These types of clematis are vigorous bloomers that flower on current season’s growth. So you can prune them as often and as hard as you like. Your best option is to cut the vines back to the ground in early spring.

Group B (Yellow Light)

Group B or number two corresponds to the yellow light. You may find more of this type available, as it is preferred by many gardeners. Not only will it flower on new growth, but larger flowers can also bloom on older stems. They should be pruned cautiously, hence the yellow light. In springtime, trim away dead and weak stems, then shorten the remaining ones to just above the topmost pair of robust, healthy green buds. The clematis vines should be pruned as early as anywhere from just a few inches to a foot or two from the base of the plant.

Group A (Red Light)

Group A or number one corresponds to the red light. Plants in this group bloom early in the spring from buds formed the prior season. The red light would indicate to stop and wait to prune. If you prune too early, the buds would be removed. It is best to wait until after the first flush of bloom fades, but no later than mid-summer, which will allow the plant to form new buds for the next season. 

Proper Support is Essential

Make sure to plan ahead for how you will support the vine. Without proper support, clematis vines can become tangled, sprawl, or fail to reach their fullest potential. While clematis vines can be allowed to wind their way through shrubs or along the ground, they will perform best when trained up a trellis, arbor, obelisk, or fence. Therefore, either at planting time or early in the spring, make sure to install a properly sized support structure for your vine.

If you’ve purchased a new plant, it may come tied to a small trellis or bamboo stake. This is not enough to support the plant as it grows, but do not try to remove it just yet. Removing it too early may cause damage to the vine. Simply leave it intact and place it up against the new trellis. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for wayward stems as the vine grows. If they start to stray and attempt to climb something else in your garden, gently guide them back towards the trellis or support structure.

Root Shade Myth

The notion that you must grow clematis with their roots in the shade is somewhat of a myth. While there is some truth to the concept of having roots in the shade and leaves in the sun, it’s important not to plant right up against the clematis. In fact, using mulch around your clematis roots is more beneficial than planting companions in close proximity. If plants are spaced too close together, they can compete for nitrogen and nutrients needed to thrive. Plus, other types of leafy plants can harbor slugs, which enjoy feeding on the surface of the stems.

Clematis Are Tough and Adaptable

Even though they look delicate, clematis are actually easy to grow and quite adaptable to most soil types, light levels, and moisture. While they do sometimes suffer from insect damage, root rot, and powdery mildew, one of the biggest myths surrounding these vines is a disease called clematis wilt.

First reported back in 1885, this general term for vine damage is still not fully understood today. Some believe it is an actual fungus, while others say it’s caused by overwatering. Either way, many gardeners believe they have clematis wilt, when in fact they do not. The decline could be caused by environmental factors or, most commonly, slugs. As mentioned earlier, both slugs and snails enjoy feeding on young clematis stems, causing enough damage for the entire stem to die. If you remain diligent at the first sight of damage, using a bit of slug bait or removing them by hand will do the trick and save your clematis from any further harm.

Conclusion

From selecting the right type to learning about pruning techniques, support structures, and dispelling myths about planting roots in the shade and clematis wilt. Which of these top five things about clematis surprised you the most? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

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