While walking through my gardens this week, I was pleasantly surprised to see the first blooms of two of my Clematis vines starting to open. I have four different varieties of this aristocratic vine in my gardens, two along the stone path and two more climbing an arbor in the back of my yard.
Clematis are among the most spectacular flowering vines, and within the wide range of colors, bloom times, and bloom sizes, there's a cultivar that's perfect for your garden.
Here are a few tips:
Most Clematis need at least six hours of sun each day to flower well.
The roots require cool tempeartures, so add 2-3 inches of organic mulch to reduce soil temperature and limit soil moisture loss.
And, perhaps most important, clematis climb by twining, so they need something to wrap themselves around, such as latticework or wire. Provide a support as tall as the vine's mature height. We have iron lattice that's about 4-ft. high that allows our clematis on the path to reach the top of our split rail fence and then it trails along it. I also run twine up the backside of our shed, so the Clematis can climb up and provide a wall of flowers.
"To prune or not to prune," is the most often asked question, regarding Clematis. It should be noted that incorrect pruning will never bring an early death to the clematis. At worst an inappropriate pruning will only delay flowering. Furthermore, if all varieties were left unpruned they would all flower very well.
I've been told that cutting the spent blooms off will promote more flowers. I have yet to test this theory, perhaps this year. Generally, I don't cut the vine back to the ground in the fall, but I do give it a good trim. I wait until late winter/early spring, when the first new leaves start to grow. Then I cut them back to about 6-8 inches from the ground.
But cutting/trimming the plant during blooming season won't necessarily hurt it at all. Sometimes you just want to keep it neat.
You don't have to spend a fortune for this splendid plant either. However, if you buy one that's not as established, but cheaper in price, it may take a few years to reach full blooming status. Our first two Clematis (the ones on the path) cost $29.99 each (5 yrs. ago) at Waterloo Gardens in Exton. While that may seem steep, as you can see in the photos provided, these were well worth the price.
Our other two Clematis were acquired from Cottage Farms via QVC. And while they look nice now (though not as spectacular as the others), it has taken four years to get there.
So, in essence, you get what you pay for.
And, I do recommend a trip to Waterloo Gardens in either of their locations (Exton or Devon). The place is absolutely fabulous! It's like an amusement park for gardeners. The displays are out-of-this-world and you can get quite an education there as well. Take the trip, you won't be sorry. (No one said you have to spend a fortune ... except on gas!)
Or you can check it out first online at http://www.waterloogardens.com/

And just a reminder that the Oley Valley Perennials Open House and Sale starts tomorrow at 9 a.m. at 675 Covered Bridge Road in scenic Oley. Also from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and June 6-7 and 20-21. If you go, make sure you get on their mailing list! More directions are available on this past Monday's (5/19) blog entry.