3 Clematis in 3 varieties - Climbing Plants

Make sure that the root balls are soaked well before planting – place the climbers in a bucket of lukewarm water prior to planting. Prepare a large hole for each of the clematis and loosen the soil with a fork. Place the Clematis roots at the right depth in the hole – the top of the root ball should be just below ground level. Refill the hole with soil and press down firmly. Water your Clematis immediately after planting. Clematis thrives in nutritious soil mixed with well rotted garden compost. These climbers need a place in full sun or half shade.

The Clematis is a good and hardy climber that can effectively decorate a pergola, fence or climbing frame. For special effects they can be planted combined with other shrubs. For example interspersed with a vigorous shrub or next to the beautiful dual rose ‘Mystery Wonder’! Or plant at the back of the double columbine Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Clementine Salmon Rose’ and Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’. The flowers of these varieties have many affinities with those of the variety viticella double Clematis ‘Elegance’ and offer excellent protection for the base of the clematis.

Clematis is to be found over the whole world in both tropical and temperate climes. It belongs to the Ranunculacea genus. All Clematis are poisonous and can cause skin irritations.

Clematis really dislikes dry soil so water more often in dry periods. Keep the 'feet' of the plant cool and moist by planting a low shrub in front of the Clematis. A mulch of compost mixed with garden fertiliser will be much appreciated. This climbing Clematis thrives against a fence or pergola. Give young plants a hand with climbing and tie young shoots in.

This is an early and large flowering Clematis and it can be lightly pruned in March. Lightly prune all branches back to a strong bud. Remove dead and damaged branches. Overblown flowers can be cut away in the summer. Clematis is a deciduous. In spring the branches from the previous year can be pruned right back to ground level in early spring.