Clematis flowers, plants and vines - choosing, buying and planting

Clematis is mostly propagated by vegetative cuttings. Plants selected for planting should have multiple stems, healthy, dark green growth and well developed root system. A well rooted plant forms the foundation of a vigorous vine. Soft plant must be hardened off before planting.

Planting Clematis vines:

Prepare the soil well before planting the vines. If clematis is planted along a wall or fence, the hole should be dug about 30 cm (12in) away from its base. Dig the planting hole 20 cm (8in) deep and 30-40 cm wide. The soil from the hole should be enriched with garden compost or well rotten farm yard manure and two handfuls of bone meal per plant.

Bone meal is a good source of phosphorus which helps in early root development. Plant the clematis in such a way that crown is 1-2 inches below the surface of the soil. These buried stems produce their own healthy root system and help the plant to recover from any injury or attack by clematis wilt. Fill the rest of the hole with soil firming it well with hand & water thoroughly. Keep a light mulch covering so that the roots remain cool & moist. Best time to plant the clematis is late winter when the plant is still dormant. During dormancy plant’s energy is stored in the root system.

Season and cycle of Clematis flowers

Clematis can take 3-4 years to reach maturity and that length of time depends on the age of plant when it is planted.  In outdoors, flowering occurs from May to October. Clematis flowering is divided into 3 major groups-

1) Spring flowering cultivar- blooms occur on the old stem.
2) Early flowering cultivars- flowering in May-June on old stem and later in the season on new growth.
3) Late flowering cultivar-bloom din summer and fall on new stems.  By hard pruning some stems, flowering can be delayed by 6-8 weeks.

For making a high quality topiary, plants may require 2 year cycle, one year to develop the plant structure and second year for flowering. Clematis can live up to 25 years or more.

Propagation of Clematis by vines and vegetative cuttings

Clematis is commercially multiplied by vegetative cuttings. It is propagated in the month of May or June with mist and rooting hormone. Generally semi hard wood cuttings from current season’s growth are taken. Cutting survival and root growth is greatest when cuttings are planted in sand or perlite media. Propagation should be done at 27oc/16oc (Day/Night) temperatures. It takes around 4-5 weeks for rooting. The large flowered hybrid takes more time for rooting. Layering is another easier method of propagation in which mature stems from the previous season’s growth are taken. Vines at the nodes are put in the soil. In layering, rooting occurs within a year and the rooted part can be detached and planted. Vines are shifted during their dormancy.