Clematis impress with their striking blooms starting in early summer—provided they are cared for properly. Here are the mistakes you should avoid.
Clematis are attractive climbing artists in the garden. Vigorous wild species like the Common Clematis (Clematis vitalba) or the Italian Clematis (Clematis viticella) are great for greening garden fences and pergolas, while large-flowered Clematis hybrids are popular for trellises and rose arches. Depending on the species and variety, Clematis are fairly hardy and undemanding—but there are a few basic mistakes to avoid when it comes to choosing a location and caring for these climbers.
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Mistake 1: Placing Clematis in the Wrong Spot
For Clematis to bloom abundantly, they need sufficient light—but not from head to toe. In nature, Clematis often grow at sunny forest edges, with their root areas lying in cool shade. To protect this area from heat and drying out in your garden, the base of the Clematis should be shaded—using mulch, stones, or companion planting with non-invasive perennials like hostas. Intense midday sun and too much wind are also not ideal: a better choice is a semi-shaded, sheltered location with a climbing support facing east or west. When planting Clematis, make sure the soil is deep, well-loosened, rich in humus, and evenly moist—much like forest soil. In heavy clay soil, water can accumulate, leading to root rot and promoting clematis wilt. It’s a good idea to add a drainage layer to the planting hole and enrich the soil with well-rotted compost or humus.
Mistake 2: Pruning Clematis Too Hastily
To avoid mistakes when pruning your Clematis, it’s essential to understand the three pruning groups. For example, if you cut back Alpine Clematis (Clematis alpina) or Mountain Clematis (Clematis montana) in the fall, you’ll lose all the flower buds. These two wild species bloom in spring and belong to the first pruning group: they should only be cut back if necessary, and then directly after blooming at the end of May, because they form next year’s buds during summer and fall. Large-flowered Clematis hybrids typically bloom twice a year—in May/June and August/September. For balanced flowering, they should be cut back by half in November or December. To prevent them from becoming bare, give them a more drastic cut every four to five years. Don’t forget to prune summer bloomers like Italian Clematis (Clematis viticella) and Golden Clematis (Clematis tangutica) as well: to encourage lush blooming, cut them back hard in winter—to about 30 to 50 centimeters (12 to 20 inches).
Mistake 3: Poor Plant Combinations
Choosing the wrong plant companions can also be a problem: dominant shrubs or perennials such as lady’s mantle (Alchemilla), barrenwort (Epimedium), or bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) can overwhelm more delicate Clematis varieties like the large-flowered hybrids over time. To protect the root area, it’s wise to install a root barrier such as pond liner or lawn edging. A dream pairing for the garden is climbing roses and Clematis. For both to develop well, be sure to install a root barrier here too. It’s also a good idea to plant the roses one to two years earlier.
