Nelly Moser: Has large, pink flowers and is one of the most common types of clematis. It’s hardy and easy to establish. Ernest Markham: Has stunning magenta flowers and grows vigorously on trellises and arbors. This variety blooms last, from late spring to fall. Niobe: Has red flowers and is a suitable choice for growing in a pot, since it doesn’t get very large. Princess Diana: Has pale pink, bell-shaped flowers and does particularly well in very hot climates. Jackmanii: Has deep purple blooms and grows vigorously; a widely available favorite. Venosa Violacea: Has abundant blue-violet blooms and vines that climb vigorously. Apple Blossom: Has small white blooms; grows as an evergreen.
Clematis are hardy from growing zone 3 to zone 9. [3] X Research source A few varieties of clematis will grow in partial shade, but they won’t reach their full potential unless they have full sun for 6 hours per day. Look for a spot with low-growing perennials and groundcover that will shade the roots of the clematis but allow it to grow into full sun about 3 or 4 inches off of the ground. Clematis need cool roots and full sun on the vine and flowers. If you can’t find a spot with groundcover, you can plant it later or mulch 4 in (10. 2 cm) deep around the clematis to keep the roots cool. You can also plant clematis near the base of a shrub or small tree. The clematis will grow up the branches without harming the “companion” shrub or tree. [4] X Research source
If you’re working with soil that tends to be clay heavy (slow to drain), dig the hole a few inches deeper than you normally would. If your soil is sandy (quick to drain), a slightly shallower hole will be better for the plant’s roots, so they’re close enough to the surface to get plenty of water.
Don’t water the clematis too often, though; since the roots are shaded, water may tend to sit for a longer period of time before it evaporates. Water in the morning, rather than in the evening, so that the water has time to dry and be absorbed before night falls.
Clematis grows by twisting its leaf stems around slender supports like twine, fishing line, thin branches, or screens. Be sure the support you provide isn’t too wide for the leaf stems to reach around. It should be less than . 5 inches (1. 27 centimeters) in diameter. If you have a trellis or arbor made with wide pieces of wood, line it with a screen or attach some fishing line to provide a support thin enough for the clematis to wrap around. As the clematis grows larger and reaches around the support, you can help it stay in place by “trussing” it: loosely tying it to the structure with fishing line. [8] X Research source
Plants that bloom on old wood, meaning the flowers appear on last year’s stems, require no pruning except to cut back their size a bit and keep them contained. After they flower, prune back to a pair of healthy buds. (Apple Blossom is in this group. ) Plants that bloom first on old wood and again on new wood, meaning the flowers appear on last year’s stems and new spring stems, need to be pruned to remove weak growth. Prune them in early spring, before they bloom, to remove weaker stems, then again after they bloom to improve their shape. (Nelly Moser and Ernest Markham are in this group. ) Plants that bloom on new wood, meaning the flowers appear only on new spring stems, should be cut back to 12 inches at the beginning of spring. (This includes Niobe, Princess Diana, Jackmanii, and Venosa Violacea. )
