Growing clematis can be a fun and rewarding way to enjoy your garden. Clematis is a climbing, flowering plant that comes in many different varieties. No matter where you live, chances are, there’s a variety of clematis that will grow well in your zone.
Clematis is a full sun plant, but prefers shade on its feet. While this may sound a little confusing, it’s actually pretty easy to achieve. Just plant your clematis in a sunny spot and then plant a small bush or other low perennial plant at the base, to shade the ground at the base of your clematis.
Clematis is a perennial vine, meaning it will come back year after year, without having to be replanted. Clematis can be easily purchased at most garden centers, or its usually easy enough to find a friend or neighbor with an established plant so you can take a “start.” Taking a start means digging up a very small piece of the plant, with root intact, and then carefully transplanting it so it will live and grow as its own separate plant. Clematis do get larger year by year, so don’t feel discourage if you’re starting with a very small plant. Give it a few years, and it will grow steadily, getting larger and producing more flowers with each passing season.
As a climbing plant, it is important that you provide some support structure for your clematis. A good sturdy garden trellis should do the job. Be sure your trellis is well staked into the ground, and if possible, located next to a wall or fence so it won’t easily blow over. Other possible support structures include obelisks, arbors, or pergolas. A well established clematis can easily cover a 6-7 foot tall arbor in one season.
