analysis: landscaping (perennial flowers) –    Clematis

What to know about climbing clematis –

Notes:

• About Clematis Flowers:

  Clematis is a woody, vigorous climbing vine that produce are array of colorful flowers. Leaves are opposite and divided into leaflets with leafstalks that twist and curl around supporting structures to anchor the plant as it climbs.

• They grow best in cool, moist, well-drained soil under full sun; with some varieties doing well with partial sun. Clematis species are mainly found throughout the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
• The timing and location of flowers varies; spring-blooming clematis flower on side shoots of the previous year’s stems; summer/fall blooming clematis bloom only on the ends of new stems, and twice-flowering clematis do both.
• REFERENCE: information from wikipedia
  INFO: clematis fact sheet
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• Where to Grow Clematis:

  Clematis do best in cooler climates – you won’t find them in the tropical conditions. They are a climbing vine that wraps itself around a support system and flowers in the spring, summer and fall – with some varieties blooming more than once.

• Clematis bloom in varying flowering shapes that produces a flower bloom in simple clover or star-like fashion to other varieties with a more fuller bloom similar to a carnation or rose. So do your research on the type of clematis and seasonality.
• INFO: tips for growing clematis
  INFO: clematis growing guide
• IMAGES: clematis colors
  IMAGES: clematis varieties
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• Garden Planning With Climbing Clematis:

  Clematis are vines – so any support structure that is positioned under full sun would be a perfect location for growing clematis. You can find varying growing heights of clematis – with some species that can grow as high as 20-30 feet (anemone clematis). Most of the large-flowering hybrids grow to around 8 to 12 feet tall; the small herbaceous species grow to 2 to 5 feet tall.

• The small clematis types are perfect to use around mailboxes, lamp posts, and fences. You can also mingle them in your gardening bed with a small trellis to form color height formations.
• The use of larger hybrid clematis would work best with large support structure along fences, side buildings, pergolas, and trellis arbors.
• IMAGES: clematis around mailboxes
  IMAGES: clematis on fences
  IMAGES: clematis on pergolas
• INFO: clematis with everything
  INFO: plant combination ideas for clematis
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• Care and Pruning Clematis:

  Clematis love full sun – but keep the base (crown) of the plant cool and shaded by using mulch, ground cover or other low growing plants. Some varieties can be grown in containers with a mulch covering.

• When planting clematis, dig a hole bigger than the root base so that the roots can spread (view planting instructions for proper setting). Note that clematis are subject to fungal and mildew disease that needs to be addressed to keep it growing healthy.
• You will need to prune (and train) your clematis upon first planting. Clematis rules are year-1, planting; year-2 pruning; and year-3 and beyond, enjoy the floral display. So there will be a bit of care in the first couple of years to give you a spectacular display for years to come.
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• INFO: how to grow/care for clematis
  INFO: types clematis diseases
• YOUTUBE: Pruning Clematis in Spring for Maximum Flowers
  YOUTUBE: how grow clematis in containers
  YOUTUBE: How to Care For and Train Clematis Hybrids
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• Harvesting Clematis:

  Clematis is a perennial vine that can be harvested as follows:

  • Floral Cuttings:

    clematis can be cut and used in floral arrangements with other flowers:
    [view how]

  • Seed:

    you can harvest seed from the clematis that can be grown in another season:
    [view how]

  • Medicinal:

    clematis is an herb and some parts of the plant are used for medicine:
    [view more]

  • Edible Or Not:

    there are some species and parts of the clematis that has been used in cooking. But to remain safe, clematis can be poisonous to children and pets and an irritant to adults. Best advice is to avoid ingesting:
    [view more]

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• YOUTUBE: harvesting clematis seed
  YOUTUBE: growing clematis from seed
  YOUTUBE: beautiful trellis clematis
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• Clematis Summary:

  Light:  full sun, partial sun
  Soil:  neutral to slightly alkaline in pH
  Height:  3-8 feet; 8-20 feet; 20 feet or more depending on variety
  Width:  climbs that can expand up to 20 feet or more
  Flower:  blue, red, pink, purple, white, yellow
  Foliage:  bluish green
  Season:  spring, summer, fall
  Features:  low maintenance, cut flowers, fragrant, attracts birds
  Propagation:  seed, stem cuttings
  Zones:  3,4,5,6,7,8,9
  INFO: view growing zones
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