How to Grow a Clematis Flowering Vine

Clematis is a vigorous climber; the flowering vine will blanket your arbor with a burst of color, or climb up the side of your tree. If you plant by seed, it will take clematis up to two years to establish itself in your garden. If you purchase the clematis vine from a nursery make sure that its 12-16 inches in height, and that it has many stems. Growing zone for clematis is 4-11 . Here are some tips on how to grow the flowering vine called clematis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fertilizer
• Organic mulch
• Garden gloves
• Shovel
• Hose with nozzle

1. Clematis adores the sun, but the roots need to be shaded. An eastern exposure is compatible with the clematis. Plant in the spring after the danger of frost has past.

2. Start growing clematis seeds inside approximately six weeks before the last hard frost. Plant seeds in the center of small nursery pots. Fill the pots with peat moss.

3. For a nursery grown plant you would dig a hole that is 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. The soil should be loose and mixed with organic compost. Set the crown 2 inches deep. Cover with soil and water.

4. 
   Mulch

   Protect the roots by adding a thin layer of organic mulch.

5. During the summer months, clematis needs water daily. It is best to water plants in the morning. The Clematis prefers cool moist roots. As summer heat us you would add an 2-3 inches of organic mulch.

6. 
   Clematis blooming in September

   In late summer, the clematis will produce a seedpod. It looks like a wispy flower. If the seedpod is brown in color then the seeds are ripe.

7. Place the seeds in an envelope for safekeeping. Write the name of the clematis on the front of the envelope.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep roots cool and moist spring-frost
• Monthly feedings of liquid fertilizer mixed with water
• Water seedling from the bottom
• Grow lights are great for seedlings.
• Be careful when attaching clematis to supports
• Prune in spring before leaf and flower buds
• Once planted, do not disturb the clematis

Resources

• Clematis

[Susang6]

on 9/13/2009 toysrmine, I feed my clematis throughout the blooming season. This year I used miracle grow bloom booster, the solution that is attached to the end of the hose. I fed them every 10 days. The clematis that is viewed by my introduction blooms at the end of summer and this year was my best season.

[toysrmine]

on 9/12/2009 Great article, my clematis grows crazy but does not flower, are there different types or am I doing something wrong?

[survivoryea]

on 9/12/2009 Thanks for the good information on planting clematis-something I would like to do.

[Merriment]

on 7/9/2009 I wish I would have known about the seed pods before. So I could have tried again when my clematis didn't survive. This is all good information to know about now though! 5*

[jellis]

on 7/9/2009 I love flowers of any kind.