Do You Have Any Special Instructions On Clematis? I Remember…
Marilyn Asked
Do you have any special instructions on clematis? I remember my mother saying “head in the sun, feet in the shade.” She put rocks around the roots.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hello, Marilyn: “Head in the sun, feet in the shade” is a very true statement in terms of how clematis prefer to live. Mom is always right! There are so many varieties of clematis and they differ in color and shape of bloom as well of time of year that they bloom, but they all enjoy the same growing conditions. A minimum of four hours of direct sun is needed for the best blooms. A moist, well-drained soil is ideal for these climbers. Another way to provide shade to the roots is to plant a small, lower growing shrub in front of the clematis. As with any new addition to the garden, it will need to be watered two to three times per week during the hot summer months.
