Although I’m not the biggest fan of clematis flowers, my mom absolutely loves them and grows them in her backyard garden all the time. Now that old age has caught up to her, she often has me sow the seeds and water the clematis for her.
If you’re looking to grow clematis but don’t know where to begin or how to care for these delicate perennials, you’re in the right place!
Today, I’m going to walk you through a complete guide on how to keep your clematis blooming beautifully all season long. I’ll also share some essential pruning techniques and care tips to help you get the most out of your plant throughout the journey.
Let’s dive right into it, shall we?
Do Clematis Need Full Sun To Bloom?
If you didn’t already know, clematis unfortunately isn’t the kind of perennial that tolerates low-light conditions well.
Trust me, I once thought I was being a genius and decided to start growing a few clematis plants in my mom’s garage (yes, THE garage, you read that right). The weather was crazy and constantly changing that year, and I thought, let’s give these a head start. But… let’s just say… clematis don’t care about our genius plans if there’s no sun involved in it. Lesson learned.
Provide your clematis with a minimum of 6 hours of full sun on a daily basis. There are some varieties out there that can tolerate light shade, but I’d be careful.
My experience has taught me to only plant clematis in sunny spots. If you’re growing them in pots indoors, make sure they live next to a sunny window, not tucked away in a dim corner like mine were.
When & How Should You Prune Clematis?
If you know anything about clematis, you’ll know that they’re mainly grouped into three distinctive categories. Pruning incorrectly is the most common reason for poor blooming results, so you want to prune according to the clematis group you’re working with.
Group 1: Spring Bloomers
Spring blooming clematis varieties like clematis Montana and C. Alpina bloom on old wood, meaning they shouldn’t be hard pruned, or else next season’s blooms will suffer. Prune these lightly right after flowering to get rid of dead wood and promote healthy rejuvenation.
Group 2: Repeat Bloomers
Repeat clematis bloomers, such as Nelly Moser or The President, bloom on both old and new wood. Therefore, you want to prune these in two sessions. Do a light prune first in early spring and then once again after the first bloom.
Group 3: Summer/Fall Bloomers
Because summer/fall blooming clematis bloom on new growth, you’re free to cut these back hard in late winter or early spring. In this group, Jackmanii and Sweet Autumn Clematis are your best options.
How Often Should You Water Clematis? It’s Easy!
Clematis is the kind of perennial that prefers moisture for optimal growth. Make sure the soil you’re working with isn’t overly dry or wet, or else it can hinder nutrient absorption in the later stages of growth.
I’d suggest deeply watering once or twice per week during dry spells and pulling back slightly when the rainy/cold season comes around. Avoid overhead watering at all costs to reduce the risk of fungal infection.
What Fertilizer Helps Clematis Bloom More?
When it comes to fertilizer use for clematis, you want to go for a balanced blend, ideally with an NPK of 10-10-10.
You can even consider switching to a bloom-boosting fertilizer in between to encourage more vigorous flowering in your clematis. A good bloom-boosting NPK lingers somewhere around 5-10-10 and can help you often throughout your clematis growing journey.
Reapply this fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to get through the summertime.
How Do You Support Clematis As It Grows?
To support clematis growth, trellises, obelisks, or netting are your best options. This perennial has a slightly different climbing habit compared to others, so you want to accommodate it accordingly.
I’d suggest tying up clematis stems to keep them from flopping and touching the ground. Strong support is important because it promotes upright growth and allows for generous sun exposure, which will ultimately lead to more flowers.
What Pests Or Problems Can Affect Blooming?
Although pest and insect infestations aren’t very common with clematis, aphids, slugs,, spider mites and mealybugs in the garden still pose a threat that’s significant enough to keep you on your toes.
Clematis wilt is a common issue. It’s when the stems start to blacken and become super weak. You want to cut diseased stems immediately and clean all your tools thoroughly after cutting affected wood. It would be foolish to wait around and not take strong action in such a situation.
Believe it or not, most fungal and bacterial issues can be countered with good air circulation, so try not to cram too many plants in one small area or corner.
Let’s Conclude
To be very honest with you, initially, I wasn’t the biggest fan of clematis. I mean, yeah, it’s beautiful, vibrant, and has a very unique leathery texture, but it didn’t jump out at me like some of the other flowers in my younger days did.
As time went by, I found myself increasingly drawn to clematis. I first tried planting them in the garage (because I thought I was a genius and had a whole system planned to outsmart the weather), but let’s just say it ended with more regrets than blooms.
These days, I follow my mom’s footsteps and start them in front of her garage and along the garden borders. Now they actually grow, adding elegance and vibrant color right where they belong.
I finally began to see what my mom loved about these perennials, and it’s not just their visual beauty. Their unique growth habit and textured, light-colored flowers bring a rustic, elegant vibe to the garden that’s difficult to achieve with other flowers.
