Clematis

Autumn-Spring · Indoors

Balanced feed monthly while in growth

Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.

Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.

Spring-Autumn · Indoors

Water regularly during growth

Water regularly while in growth

Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.

Spring - late · Outdoors

Feed with slow release fertiliser

Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)

This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water to keep the soil moist

For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.

Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.

Spring - early · Planting

Prune Clematis Group 2 - prune to a framework

Early to mid-season Clematis (Group 2) tie onto supports, shorten long shoots, pinch out tips and tie in. Remove dead, diseased, damaged growth. When mature (after 2 years) take out any weak growth to the ground and cut shoots back by a third to buds.

Spring - late · Planting

Prune Clematis Group 1

Clematis Group 1 prune. When all danger of frost has past, clematis can be checked for health and dead, damaged or diseased growth can be removed.

Spring · Planting

Prune Clematis Group 1 - trim after flowering

Early flowering Clematis (Group 1) lightly prune after flowering is over. Cut overlong shoots back to a bud. Tie the plant to supports as needed. Pinch out growing tips. Every few years thin a plant if it is congested by cutting some shoots to the base.

Summer-Autumn · Planting

Support young plants

Provide support for young plants, and tie in any growth to the support to keep it tidy.

Winter · Indoors

Water moderately in winter

Water moderately.

Give a small amount of water so that the plant doesn't become flaccid (leaves lose their firmness and may droop or look lifeless), or dessicated, but do not saturate the compost or leave it standing in water.

Winter - late · Outdoors

Apply an organic mulch

Apply an organic mulch to the plant taking care not to bury its stem or cover any young growth that emerges from its centre.

A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.

Winter - late · Planting

Prune Clematis Group 3 - "hard prune" every year

Late and small flowering Clematis (Group 3) "hard prune" late winter or early spring. Start at the base, on each stem find the first pair of good healthy buds, or leaf nodes. Take off all growth above these.

This clematis flowers on wood grown in the current year. It flowers from early summer onwards and is pruned annually to remove all the old growth so the plant produces good young growth which will carry the flowers that year.

Outdoors

Water some varieties differently

Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.

Planting

Prune Clematis according to "Group"

Clematis are split into 3 "Groups" according to how they must be pruned.

Check the plant label for the Clematis pruning group for your plant.

Planting

Support some varieties

Some plants within this genus may require support for young plants and/or long stems. It is best to look up your specific plant for guidance, and/or check the label.

Compost · Planting

Loam based houseplant compost for repotting

Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.

John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.

Indoor temperature · Planting

0C minimum temperature

This plant requires a minimum temperature of 0 Centigrade.

Indoor plant · Planting

Position in a sunny spot, close to window

Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).