00:00If you've ever felt intimidated by the delicate beauty of clematis vines,
00:04you are not alone. Many gardeners admire these stunning vines from afar,
00:08convinced they are too tricky and fragile to grow. But what if I told you that
00:13clematis can thrive in your garden with just a few insider tips?
00:16Hi, this is Amy from Gardening Know How and I am going to share five things you may not know
00:21about
00:21growing clematis to help reduce the stress and intimidation often associated with these
00:27queens of flowering vines. Number one. Clematis are available in a wide range of species,
00:33varieties, and forms including bushy, dwarf tall, and vining types. Knowing the differences can help
00:39you select the perfect one or two for your garden. They are broadly categorized into groups based on
00:44their blooming periods and growth habits. You can find them with blooms ranging from small and
00:49abundant to large and unique up to six inches across or more. Clematis vines are available in
00:54every shade of the rainbow featuring a variety of flower forms such as flat, star-shaped, bell-shaped,
01:00and both single and double blooms. Some can bloom early on old wood and then bloom again on new wood
01:05while others bloom later in the season and some even showcase an extended bloom time such as sweet
01:11summer love and the most popular variety of all time, Jackmanii. My Clematis josephine is one of
01:17the many reblooming types of clematis that begins its show in early May into June with a rebloom
01:22later in the season after cutting the plant back by half. This not only controls its overall growth
01:28but also encourages new flower buds to develop. Another option for some are bush clematis that form
01:34a small hedge. Here in my garden, Clematis chloe puts on a show for months on end and the reblooming
01:40power will amaze you. I do still offer a support trellis to keep it contained within the landscape
01:45but feel free to let this group run loose or even grow up an evergreen hedge.
01:50Each type of clematis brings its own unique beauty and charm so be sure to plant several different
01:56varieties in your landscape to enjoy them from an extended period of time.
02:00Number two, pruning. During my 20-year span as manager of a local garden center,
02:05questions about clematis pruning came up daily. However, it is not as complicated as it may seem.
02:12Clematis vines have specific pruning requirements that relate to the timing and matter of pruning.
02:17Knowing which type of clematis you have will help you achieve the best success.
02:22When shopping for clematis vines, you may notice signs around the plants indicating specific pruning
02:27techniques for the three main groups of clematis, usually referred to as A, B, C or 1, 2, 3.
02:35However, I learned a trick from clematis expert Deborah Hardwick, who grows thousands, yes,
02:40thousands of cultivars in her central Ohio garden. She suggested replacing the corresponding letters
02:46or numbers with that of a traffic light. So, a red light means stop, a yellow light means slow,
02:52and a green light means go. Group C or number 3 would correspond to the green light.
02:58These types of clematis are vigorous bloomers that flower on current season's growth,
03:03so you can prune them as often and as hard as you like. Your best option is to cut the
03:08vines back to
03:09the ground in early spring. Group B or number 2 corresponds to the yellow light. You may find more
03:22of this type available as it is preferred by many gardeners. Not only will it flower on new growth,
03:28but larger flowers can also bloom on older stems. They should be pruned cautiously, hence the yellow
03:34light. In springtime, trim away dead and weak stems, then shorten the remaining ones to just above the
03:40topmost pair of robust healthy green buds. This could be anywhere from just a few inches to a foot or
03:47two
03:47from the base of the plant. Group A or number 1 corresponds to the red light. Plants in this group
03:54bloom early in the spring from buds formed the prior season. The red light would indicate to stop and
03:59wait to prune. If you prune too early, the buds would be removed. It is best to wait until after
04:05the first flush of bloom fades, but no later than mid-summer, which will allow the plant to form new
04:10buds for the next season. Number 3. Make sure to plan ahead for how you will support the vine.
04:17Without proper support, clematis vines can become tangled, sprawl, or fail to reach their fullest potential.
04:24While clematis vines can be allowed to wind their way through shrubs or along the ground, they will
04:28perform best when trained up a trellis, arbor, obelisk, or fence. Therefore, either at planting
04:34time or early in the spring, make sure to install a properly sized support structure for your vine.
04:40If you've purchased a new plant, it may come tied to a small trellis or bamboo stake. This is not
04:46enough
04:46to support the plant as it grows, but do not try to remove it just yet. Removing it too early
04:52may cause
04:52damage to the vine. Simply leave it intact and place it up against the new trellis. Also, be sure to
04:58keep
04:59an eye out for wayward stems as the vine grows. If they start to stray and attempt to climb something
05:04else in your garden, gently guide them back towards the trellis or support structure.
05:09Number 4. The notion that you must grow clematis with their roots in the shade is somewhat of a myth.
05:15While there is some truth to the concept of having roots in the shade and leaves in the sun,
05:20it's important not to plant right up against the clematis. In fact, using mulch around your
05:26clematis roots is more beneficial than planting companions in close proximity. If plants are spaced
05:31too close together, they can compete for nitrogen and nutrients needed to thrive. Plus, other types of
05:37leafy plants can harbor slugs, which enjoy feeding on the surface of the stems.
05:43Number 5. Even though they look delicate, clematis are actually easy to grow and quite adaptable to most soil
05:49types, light levels, and moisture. While they do sometimes suffer from insect damage, root rot,
05:55and powdery mildew, one of the biggest myths surrounding these vines is a disease called
05:59clematis wilt. First reported back in 1885, this general term for vine damage is still not fully
06:06understood today. Some believe it is an actual fungus, while others say it is caused by overwatering.
06:12Either way, many gardeners believe they have clematis wilt, when in fact, they do not.
06:17The decline could be caused by environmental factors or, most commonly, slugs.
06:23As mentioned earlier, both slugs and snails enjoy feeding on young clematis stems,
06:28causing enough damage for the entire stem to die. If you remain diligent at the first sight of damage,
06:34using a bit of slug bait or removing them by hand will do the trick and save your clematis from
06:39any
06:40further harm. From selecting the right type to learning about pruning techniques, support structures,
06:45and dispelling myths about planting roots in the shade and clematis wilt, which of these top five
06:51things about clematis surprised you the most? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
06:56For additional information on growing vines, be sure to check out our video on the top 10 flowering vines
07:01in the top 10 flowering vines with an extended bloom season.
07:04Thanks for watching and happy gardening!
07:06Be sure to check out our video on our channel.
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