Clematis

Clematis
Pink Fantasy

Clematis are one of the most recognizable perennial plants in spring and early summer. With their huge flowers in a wide array of colors, they grace fences, lampposts, mailboxes and trellises in many neighborhood yards. Some are fragrant like the fall blooming Autumn Clematis (Paniculata), some have small bell shaped flowers (Betty Corning), but most come in large double and single petaled flowers. Certain varieties can bloom on new growth, some can only bloom on last year's growth, and many can bloom on both. Those varieties that bloom on new or both can be trimmed at any time, spring or fall, and will still bloom profusely. Those that bloom on old wood shouldn't be trimmed, or if necessary, only after the spring bloom is over so they have all summer to put enough growth on to bloom again next spring. Always check your garden store to determine which variety you are purchasing.
Especially the first year of planting, Clematis like to have their roots shaded from the hot summer sun, so plant a few annuals around your Clematis to keep it happy and thriving, and it's roots cool. A slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote applied in early spring will give your plant the boost it needs to produce lots of large flowers, then if you choose, you can give it a general purpose water soluble fertilizer every two weeks according to directions on your fertilizer product during the summer to encourage lots of foliage growth. Frequently, your Clematis will surprise you with a second flowering in fall as well! The first year be especially careful to water your new plant during dry spells so root production can get a good start. Once established, your Clematis shouldn't need any more care than you give to all your landscape plants.
Every year your Clematis will grow and fill in and produce more and more eye popping blooms than the year before!

By: Sandy Weinkam
Gardening Expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses