My mom has gorgeous clematis in our home garden. After moving out on my own and wanting the same in my garden I asked what types they are, how she prunes them, maintains them. She had absolutely no clue what I was going on about! Turns out she's only every watered these plants, no pruning at all. "Just leave it for a year and see what happens" Well it turns out you can leave it for 5-10+ years and they just keep on blooming!
I clip last years vines off at ground level every spring. They grow like crazy and bloom beautifully. Learned from my parents growing up, also try growing 2 colors together for a more stunning display
I first planted clematis about 15 years ago. The following year it started going through all of my bushes. At first I was concerned, but now I love it! look forward to May when it blooms because it’s so spectacular peeking out all through the bushes. Great video. Thank you! 💚
I have fallen deeply in love with one of the clematises you mentioned: Gravetye Beauty. What a beauty indeed! Those lovely wine/ruby colored trumpet shaped flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds as well. For those who are new here to growing clematis, I find that the saying is true: the first year, they sleep, the second year, they creep, and the third year, they leap. They get better and better each year.
You inspired me to get clematis plants. I already had three, but now I’ve doubled my clematis count. I got a couple of trellises to train them that I’ll be setting up this week. Thanks for the inspiration!
This was perfect timing! I am growing my first clematis and it is already climbing into the top of the giant lilac bush next to it. I'm so thankful you explained your method of allowing clematis the freedom to grow through nearby shrubs. That was the idea I had for this one and now I can rest assured its going to be ok.
Le jardin birdcage support from Gardener’s Supply. I just purchased one that I am using as a support for one of my peony plants. Okay, you did it! I’m going to bite the bullet and plant my first clematis. Thanks for another great video.
Thank god for gardeners like you Erin who keep it real. When just starting out you can get so confused by all the advice and “proper” methods for success that you just don’t bother trying some things. I agree with your “just try it and see what happens” method because we have different environments and there is not one way that works for all. There are just guidelines.
I have one Clematis and because I live in Southern California (zone 9B), it blooms early. By now, early June, it has completed blooming. Then the leaves start getting “rust.” I allow the leaves to die a little bit and give it a hard cut. I’ll get a second bloom later this summer. At the end of the second bloom, another hard cut till next spring. The second blooms are not as showy and big, but it is still beautiful
Forgot to mention, I have a Sweet Autumn Clematis that i planted on our cats' pen fence 15 years ago and it's gigantic. Cut it down or leave the dead leaves, it comes back every year. We didn't cut it down this Spring and it's covered in new leaves. You almost can't kill it. Great privacy plant!
I have a love/hate relationship with mine. They are gorgeous in spring and summer but are ugly the rest of the year. I am not sure what category 2 out of the 3 are in my garden. After watching several videos I am still not sure how to prune them. I now realize that I need to prune earlier. A word of advice to any one planting one the first time, choose trellis three times the size you had planned. Once established they go grow like crazy.
I STILL am trying to solve the mystery of what kind of support to use that will really let them grow! An average sized trellis/tuteur just is not tall enough. I don't mind them spilling over once they reach the top, but I worry about stem breakage.
I've never had any success with Clematis, but now I know why and am ready to grow some. I've got a 4-pack from Costco at a great price, and one still in the post from last year that I thought had died, but is now growing. Thanks so much for the info!
Hello, I have never heard anyone pronounce their name the way you do. Sounds like you are more right than the way we do but will be next to impossible to remember! Best wishes, Dorothy
In south west Ohio we pronounce it differently also. I’m pretty sure your pronunciation is correct. Where did you get the rain barrel? Do you have to worry about mosquitos with rain barrels?
Thank you so much for Clematis information!! Great tips!👏👏🌷🌷 I’m protecting my clematis, put a cage around them so the rabbits don’t destroy them! Once again thank you 🙏
Thank you for this video! I have two successfully growing clematis and one that I have replanted three times! It is Henryi, which you showed (thank you!!!), and I am determined to make one thrive because my stepfather was named Henry I. and known as Dr. I, so it is an homage to him! I believe I can make that happen now with your help. I found you through Garden Answer and your contribution to her recent video of 12 gardeners talking about their most impressive plant for 2020. I loved your segment on your dahlias.
Thank you for talking about rabbit damage and clematis. Rabbits bit through some of mine well after they were budded out, right at the bottom. So, vines just began dying off, turning brown, and looking miserable. I tried to cut out the dead pieces, but cut some of the live ones too, and it was one miserable effort. Finally, I was left with a very thin clematis, almost no flowers, and able to see right through to the support. I have never sprayed rabbit repellent seriously on my clematis, but will in the future. Waiting all year to see them bloom and losing them to rabbits is way too disappointing, I will also feed them, which I have rarely done. This is great information. Thanks.
I planted my first clematis this spring. So excited to see how it does! And yes, dogs do love espoma fertilizer. Mine are obsessed and follow me around when I'm fertilizing and then proceed to dig in the ground with their noses to get to it. I think I'm going to start separating them from the sections I fertilize for a couple of days afterwards because it's kind of crazy!
I needed this info badly. I planted a Clematis a few weeks ago. It had been in its nursery pot just sitting in an empty pot from last year. I could see it roots and figured it was dead. This spring boom....Covered in flowers. So I stuck it in ground to climb up railing of front steps. I have no idea the name of it. Purchased on sale because it was left over and had no identifying info. This will b a fun experiment. Laughed when you mentioned dogs and fertilizer. I can open the bag and the dogs can smell it from other side of yard. They become little helpers in the garden then. It does stink but I guess to them it is the most wonderful smell in the world.
My favorite is Sweet Autumn! I have another that is solid 2 feet wide at the base and gets about 8 ft tall with small trumpet type pink flowers (Etoile Rose).
I’ve always loved clematis. Took me awhile to realize that some really like to be cut back hard. Sometimes I don’t have a choice as the stems are broken. Never thought it could be the darn rabbits. I love the look of them with roses but for some reason never tried it. I think I will now. Just need to find the right type, or maybe it doesn’t matter. The ones I have are already blooming. I also got some of my clippings to root.
Erin thank you for making this video, I will be using it for references, I have several clematis with my roses, mostly group 2. Best gardening channel.
I love clematis! I have at least 30 different clematis and have good luck with them here in Georgia. My husband made 5 obelisks like the one you have and they grow on those with a little help from me and floral tape. I have the best luck with metal obelisks and the plants grow all over them with no help. They are in bloom right now and are spectular. I fertilize them with vegetable fertilizer.
Just ordered my 1st 2 clematis this year! Can't wait to try them out. Now I needs to research which group they're in so I can give them their best life!
Really appreciate all the info on Clematis: that there are three categories; pruning tips, & planting instructions. I've enjoyed my abundantly flowering Henrii for many years - and then last year, saw it turn black, then realized that was due to a blight. Didn't know what to do with it. Before your mentioning that Clematis have large root systems, I'd considered relocating it where it won't be so swamped between a Mountain Laurel & my nice pink-red flowering Weigela. They all bloomed together, so for years formed a wall of blossoms, giving me more privacy by reaching up & shading the East / South facing corner of my house, where 2 large floor to ceiling windows meet. I've often let the Weigela grow large, in recent years, but think that might've been what caused the blight - the vines were being blocked from the sun & good air circulation by so much growth of the Weigela. So I will cut them back before the spring warming prompts new growth, likely cutting the Clematis to the ground, & then hope to see healthy new growth this spring. They both grow so much in a season. I could try keeping the Weigela smaller, & cut it back after the 1st bloom, to see if that helps to contain it. It'll likely bloom more the 2nd time by doing that too.
My jackmanii had a blight problem. I often got unsightly black leaves, ugh! Honestly? The best thing to happen to it is when I had to have my front stoop rebuilt, and the contractors just pushed the trellis over and onto the ground, snapping all of the stems. (They do NOT care about your plants!) I was hopping mad, but the next year, it regrew from the roots, all fresh stems, no more blight!
Loved this one! I've had one in fun sun for more than a decade and it has always done well, then I have another that just gets morning sun and it does well also. I totally understand the confusion. lol
Just ordered the Clematis book through your link and am so excited to be getting this book that you recommend. Clematis do so well on my property, so I have added a few new ones this year. This video is extremely helpful to me. Thanks for all you do, and for sharing with us.
I have a dark blue alpina that I planted last year under a double white French lilac. Prettiest thing in my garden right now! The blue bell shapes are so sweet amongst the lilac buds.
Love! I just bought another clematis today...Blue Ravine. I've grown so many clematis over the years and lost quite a few too. It's definitely a love of mine. Great info and I like your matter of fact style.
I have a jackmanii that I cut down every spring. It's probably 50 years old. Climbs 15 feet up chicken wire. I've done it to others too. I'll have to ck on them. Jack is in the east, others in west. Always thought lack of sun was my problem.
I pruned mine about two months ago. Then a few weeks ago I added some fertilizer. I don't know what I did but the number of buds on my clematis plants are insane. I can't wait for them to bloom! Just an fyi for anyone interested. I deadheaded and fertilized my flowers every week and they bloomed constantly until it got cold.
Gardening Junkie Glad to hear you’ve found a method that works for you. I don’t deadhead a lot of mine because I think the seed pods are as beautiful as the flowers.
I have one who flowers very early (June 15th flowering is finish) and since last year, I didn't prune it. Now, I don't know how but it's on the fence and at 4-5 feet's away, there is a tree! This year, she is climbing in the tree a good 10 feet up!! So, as you said, pruning or not, they live!! I had a lot of clematis and it's easy to take care! Thanks.
I used to prune down hard on my Group 2 clematis which is so much quicker and easier but found I was losing the first bloom from them, this is because they bloom not only on new wood but also on old. They grew and bloomed but not as long or as early as when I do it in the thirds or even only cut back the old spent material. This year they are already twice as tall as last. So glad you addressed the head in sun and roots in shade, I totally agree and many of mine the root zone is in full sun but mulched well and on a drip.
Hi Erin! Thanks so much for making this incredibly helpful video! I'm inspired to add a clematis to my cutting garden after watching this. Do you happen to have a favorite for cutting that you feel out performers others in the vase? On a different note - could you also share what mic you are using? I love to share video from around our flower farm, and I'm hoping to get better with my audio. I'm shooting on a Nikon 3400 and it does not have an external mic output. Thanks for everything and for sharing the love of gardening with everyone!
I am learning to grow plants , I have hydrangea, delphinium, columbine ,iris, anyway, looking on to a different plant to do, so I watched this video on clematis, so thank you for the information, never grew clematis.Cindy Rasmussen, Coeurd'alene, Id
Thank you! I just bought 2 one candy stripe and a lavender one. Both type 2. I like the idea of having it climb up the huge oak tree I have as my main focal point, bird feeder and bird bath. Lol it'll be great! Thanks again.
I have been wanting to try a clematis or two from Brushwood, but didn't know where to start, so thank you for this. Thank you also for your comment on the Rose Tone, I thought it was my imagination about the fertilizer attracting animals, not just dogs. Every time I use any of the Espoma fertilizers I have problems with something digging in the bed. It's gotten so bad that I have gone to covering a newly planted area with a piece of livestock fence I fashioned into a small dome to place over new plantings, and I leave it there sometimes a few weeks, that has helped.
Thanks for making this video, Erin! I love clematis but have always been confused about when and how to prune them. I have 4 different ones and would love to add more to my garden. I need to Google them (if I can find the tags) to find out what types I currently have. I really appreciate all the information and tips you provide! ~Margie
I have a group 2 clematis called vyvyan pennell that wilted five years in a row every year I threatened to dig it up and compost it then last year it bloomed for the first year a total diva be if ever there was so glad. I kept it now great video very informative keep up the good work
Thankyou Erin just received barefoot Clem it’s called President Clem and from researching believe it’s number 2 ...I’m in NWFl and do hope for the best ...any info from you would be awesome since I’m kinda pushing zone we expect lil freeze tomorrow nite 3/19/23 so I soaked rootball and just for few days put in pot... thanks so much for all you give and share to us gardeners... love your channel
I have the montana clematis in my English garden - the large mid Summer flowering clematis can suffer from wilt - fortunately the montanas don't - and look great! The late flowering varieties are also easy because you just cut them right back each year, as they flower on new growth.
yes! My dog loves espoma fertilizer too! he follows behind me licking the dirt! Unfortunately I've had to switch to a water soluble fertilizer in the backyard (where he has access). I use it only in the front yard where he doesn't have free reign.
Great info, Erin. I am only left with one clematis out of 3. Unfortunately the deer took out the other 2. Now I am armed with Bobex which works well for us. We put an alert on our phone to spray every 2 weeks. I'm ready to try again, as I really love them.
I didn't know there were different types. I just have always cut them back to the ground right before winter is supposed to hit (zone 4b). I guess I'm lucky I've had the right kind for that. I just bought 2 new ones, though, and I see they are type 2. Thanks for the tips!
I grow Jackmanii and Nelly Mosher together on a trellis...West side and shaded roots with mulch and in Zone 5, central Iowa....2 years ago, I didn’t prune them....as May approached, I snipped just the “small thin viney” pieces that looked dead...fertilized and oh my gosh, they bloomed like crazy and for a couple months....just gorgeous. Some say “Jacks” don’t need hard pruning.
@@rsgnyc13 ...I give my clematis about 4 cups of composted manure in the spring and work it into the soil a little bit...usually around the end of April...Clems are heavy feeders and they love the composted manure. Just don't overdo it.
Erin, we've been shopping w/Brushwood for a year or 2. I sure wish you'd had this planting advice online before this... Our last 2 are due next week - so all is not lost yet!
I'm so happy to see that my jackmanii clematis is coming up strong this spring. Last summer it wilted and I cut it to the ground as advised. I have another one (which I cannot remember what variety) that grows a bit farther from its support. So the past few years I would pull it horizontally towards the support and it would just stop growing. After several years of doing this, I put a stake nearby and so far it's growing up taller and will hopefully make it up the porch post this year! I wrap stainless steel wire around my porch posts for clematis support after seeing Martha train hers this way on her fancy granite posts. Thanks so much for the helpful pruning advice! I need to get outside and fertilize mine right now!
I had a Henryii on a fence that I had to tear out and replace the fence in spring.. It bloomed very later but it looked amazing! It’s already all leafed out, and of course I didn’t prune it at all this year. Meanwhile my unidentified dark blue one has yet to show any growth.
At least when planting new items, I have learned to use fertilizer in the bottom 1/3 - 1/2 the planting hole only, and my dogs don't seem to know it is there. Regardless - Espoma products are the best.
Great video, I have six clematis and three are doing beautifully the other three have brown leaves on the bottom and don’t bloom more then once (few blooms).
Hi Erin. Considering planting a group 3 Huldine in zone 5b I’ve nurtured in a pot outside since early Spring. Impulse buy at a local garden center. It didn’t seem to have much of a root system. Maybe I should be bringing it inside to overwinter? Thanks so much for inspiring to try new things and take chances. A little microcosm of life living lessons. 😊
Love Clematis; not sure what variety I have.... probably Jackmanii. I have it planted by post of a split rail fence; been there about 15 years. I never prune; it's somewhat of a mess; but blooms beautifully.
Thanks for the great info Erin. I have one large flower that I think is group two. It never gets too big because I don’t think it gets enough sun through the season (area starts off sunny until the large surrounding trees leaf out). So I don’t do too much trimming on it. I usually wait until I see leaves. I do want to get more. I am interested in the ones in group 3 that don’t vine.
Great video, thanks for taking the time to give a lot of information on clematis. I'm thinking of growing them in a few pots as a spiller this season then planting them out in the yard in Fall. I'm inspired now!
This was an amazing video. Thanks so much! I have about 6, only one of which I still know the name of. I always think I’m killing them so you really put my mind at ease
I have three that I planted over the last three yrs, they get morning sun and none have gotten larger than 6”. I keep waiting for them to do some thing. Seems like every spring they shoot up, and the man steps on them and they break before they can get started. I have a trellis around them, and this year it was the roofers that screwed things up, they moved the trellis and I didn’t realize it, as I was at work when they came, roofed and was gone when I came home...they placed it close, but not exact...and darn it, the man stepped on them, yes again! Ha, maybe next year will be their year!! Maybe I just needed to fertilize them, which thank you, I didn’t realize clematis were fairly heavy feeders?? I have two more that do very well and two others that are just getting their feet planted and got some decent blooms out of them, 2 others that I don’t think they made it thru our crazy Texas February freeze we had this year! Nonetheless, I love clematis too, and will be diligent in getting the 3 that keep trying, to eventually make their place in my front garden known!! Thanks for the tips!!!
I once owned seven plants and ended up with three several years later and I don’t think a single one of them is any bigger than the day I bought it ! ...when I lived in Toronto I grew one that covered almost an entire fence And just can’t figure out why I am not having success in zone 4B!
This video is right on time. I just purchased 2 gorgeous blues: Bernadine (gp 2) and Guiding Promise (gp 3). What I like about group 2's is that they flower on old and new wood.
Make a few speres of chicken wire... hold down with a landscape fabric clip.... use wire cutters pulling random wires outward... around the bottom.. you can cover with mulch to hide .. rabbits can't get to the plant that you have inside the sphere...
Perfect timing! I just planted my very first Clematis yesterday; Sweet Summer Love, by Proven Winners. I did plant in a huge container as I was scared 😂. I’m unsure of the group, I don’t see it listed on the tag. 🤷🏻♀️ Do I treat the same way as if it were in the ground? Also ... YES the dogs love that Espoma fertilizer 😳 they drive me crazy! I just planted strawberries in a huge tub, no straw yet, and they climbed in the tub and destroyed it! 😤😂
Penny Womack I just planted the same clematis from proven winners. Looked it up on the website... says it’s deciduous, blooms on new wood, and benefits from a hard prune in late winter as long as you leave 2 pairs of buds on each stem. I’m so excited for these gorgeous flowers! But website also says be prepared for this clematis to focus on root growth it’s first season rather than blooms. 🌸🧐
Omg the clematis urophylla and ther mrs. robbert brydon in my bosses garden are a few of my fav Clems. Also roguchi, its actually one my bosses introduced the the us.
Love the white. Henrii...The only one I have left that is still alive is the dark purple Jackmanii -my least favourite! Elsa spath was a beauty until she gave up the ghost too :(
Wow, probably the best Clematis video I have ever watched! I have several in my tiny yard - not sure which group, but they seem to do well even though I am no expert. Very rewarding easy plants. Can you please share your mail-order sources for your plants? I would love some good sources as my local nurseries all have the same basic varieties and I would like to find some that are less common. Like everyone else, I’d like a blue colored variety and find that they never seem to look like the pictures. Do you think the soil PH and light conditions effect the color immensely? Also you said you don’t fertilize while they are blooming. Is it safe to fertilize while they have mature flower buds on them in the Spring? I pruned mine in late March and gave them some fertilizer. They all have buds now. So should I wait until they are done blooming to fertilize again?
Erin, I love your videos. I've always been afraid to try clematis but I might try them now. You give the best information and make it look doable. Thanks!
My mom has gorgeous clematis in our home garden. After moving out on my own and wanting the same in my garden I asked what types they are, how she prunes them, maintains them. She had absolutely no clue what I was going on about! Turns out she's only every watered these plants, no pruning at all.
"Just leave it for a year and see what happens" Well it turns out you can leave it for 5-10+ years and they just keep on blooming!
I clip last years vines off at ground level every spring. They grow like crazy and bloom beautifully. Learned from my parents growing up, also try growing 2 colors together for a more stunning display
Thanks for the tips! That’s perfect!
I love this! "It's not that important." "Just watch it for a year and see what happens." We tend to overthink gardening and we really don't need to!
I first planted clematis about 15 years ago. The following year it started going through all of my bushes. At first I was concerned, but now I love it! look forward to May when it blooms because it’s so spectacular peeking out all through the bushes. Great video. Thank you! 💚
Whenever I see clematis, I click instantly!! My absolutely favorite plant!!! So easy to grow and so many gorgeous flowers!! 💗💗💗🧸
I have fallen deeply in love with one of the clematises you mentioned: Gravetye Beauty. What a beauty indeed! Those lovely wine/ruby colored trumpet shaped flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds as well. For those who are new here to growing clematis, I find that the saying is true: the first year, they sleep, the second year, they creep, and the third year, they leap. They get better and better each year.
I want one!
So funny when you hear that you’ve had an obscure/unimportant shared experience. My dog LOVES licking up Espoma fertilizer!
You inspired me to get clematis plants. I already had three, but now I’ve doubled my clematis count. I got a couple of trellises to train them that I’ll be setting up this week. Thanks for the inspiration!
This was perfect timing! I am growing my first clematis and it is already climbing into the top of the giant lilac bush next to it. I'm so thankful you explained your method of allowing clematis the freedom to grow through nearby shrubs. That was the idea I had for this one and now I can rest assured its going to be ok.
Same here!
Le jardin birdcage support from Gardener’s Supply. I just purchased one that I am using as a support for one of my peony plants. Okay, you did it! I’m going to bite the bullet and plant my first clematis. Thanks for another great video.
Thank god for gardeners like you Erin who keep it real. When just starting out you can get so confused by all the advice and “proper” methods for success that you just don’t bother trying some things. I agree with your “just try it and see what happens” method because we have different environments and there is not one way that works for all. There are just guidelines.
I have a Jackmanii that I cut down to about 6-8” every fall. They come back every year more vigorous!!
I have one Clematis and because I live in Southern California (zone 9B), it blooms early. By now, early June, it has completed blooming. Then the leaves start getting “rust.” I allow the leaves to die a little bit and give it a hard cut. I’ll get a second bloom later this summer. At the end of the second bloom, another hard cut till next spring. The second blooms are not as showy and big, but it is still beautiful
Great video. Probably one of the most detailed ones I’ve seen. Thank you!!
Forgot to mention, I have a Sweet Autumn Clematis that i planted on our cats' pen fence 15 years ago and it's gigantic. Cut it down or leave the dead leaves, it comes back every year. We didn't cut it down this Spring and it's covered in new leaves. You almost can't kill it. Great privacy plant!
Thanks for explaining how forgiving plants can be and that mistakes in the garden can turn out ok.
I have a love/hate relationship with mine. They are gorgeous in spring and summer but are ugly the rest of the year. I am not sure what category 2 out of the 3 are in my garden. After watching several videos I am still not sure how to prune them. I now realize that I need to prune earlier. A word of advice to any one planting one the first time, choose trellis three times the size you had planned. Once established they go grow like crazy.
I STILL am trying to solve the mystery of what kind of support to use that will really let them grow! An average sized trellis/tuteur just is not tall enough. I don't mind them spilling over once they reach the top, but I worry about stem breakage.
I've never had any success with Clematis, but now I know why and am ready to grow some. I've got a 4-pack from Costco at a great price, and one still in the post from last year that I thought had died, but is now growing. Thanks so much for the info!
Hello, I have never heard anyone pronounce their name the way you do. Sounds like you are more right than the way we do but will be next to impossible to remember! Best wishes, Dorothy
I've heard this pronunciation from people in New Zealand, South Africa and I if I remember correctly, Ireland...
In south west Ohio we pronounce it differently also. I’m pretty sure your pronunciation is correct. Where did you get the rain barrel? Do you have to worry about mosquitos with rain barrels?
Thank you so much for Clematis information!! Great tips!👏👏🌷🌷 I’m protecting my clematis, put a cage around them so the rabbits don’t destroy them! Once again thank you 🙏
We just planted 4 clematis on a beautiful trellis. Thank you for the great info.
You explain things so clearly
Thank you for this video! I have two successfully growing clematis and one that I have replanted three times! It is Henryi, which you showed (thank you!!!), and I am determined to make one thrive because my stepfather was named Henry I. and known as Dr. I, so it is an homage to him! I believe I can make that happen now with your help. I found you through Garden Answer and your contribution to her recent video of 12 gardeners talking about their most impressive plant for 2020. I loved your segment on your dahlias.
My comment would be exactly the same. Pasco, WA. 🌹
Same meaning end part on G.A. & dahlias. 🌹
Thank you for talking about rabbit damage and clematis. Rabbits bit through some of mine well after they were budded out, right at the bottom. So, vines just began dying off, turning brown, and looking miserable. I tried to cut out the dead pieces, but cut some of the live ones too, and it was one miserable effort. Finally, I was left with a very thin clematis, almost no flowers, and able to see right through to the support. I have never sprayed rabbit repellent seriously on my clematis, but will in the future. Waiting all year to see them bloom and losing them to rabbits is way too disappointing, I will also feed them, which I have rarely done. This is great information. Thanks.
Very clear and informative, thank you.
I planted my first clematis this spring. So excited to see how it does!
And yes, dogs do love espoma fertilizer. Mine are obsessed and follow me around when I'm fertilizing and then proceed to dig in the ground with their noses to get to it. I think I'm going to start separating them from the sections I fertilize for a couple of days afterwards because it's kind of crazy!
Kind of crazy! Lol.
Great video Erin. Thanks for taking the fear out of growing clematis.
Love the information and "how to's." Just bought my first clematis yesterday and looking forward to seeing how it does in my yard.
I needed this info badly. I planted a Clematis a few weeks ago. It had been in its nursery pot just sitting in an empty pot from last year. I could see it roots and figured it was dead. This spring boom....Covered in flowers. So I stuck it in ground to climb up railing of front steps. I have no idea the name of it. Purchased on sale because it was left over and had no identifying info. This will b a fun experiment. Laughed when you mentioned dogs and fertilizer. I can open the bag and the dogs can smell it from other side of yard. They become little helpers in the garden then. It does stink but I guess to them it is the most wonderful smell in the world.
My favorite is Sweet Autumn! I have another that is solid 2 feet wide at the base and gets about 8 ft tall with small trumpet type pink flowers (Etoile Rose).
I’ve always loved clematis. Took me awhile to realize that some really like to be cut back hard. Sometimes I don’t have a choice as the stems are broken. Never thought it could be the darn rabbits. I love the look of them with roses but for some reason never tried it. I think I will now. Just need to find the right type, or maybe it doesn’t matter. The ones I have are already blooming. I also got some of my clippings to root.
Erin thank you for making this video, I will be using it for references, I have several clematis with my roses, mostly group 2.
Best gardening channel.
I love clematis! I have at least 30 different clematis and have good luck with them here in Georgia. My husband made 5 obelisks like the one you have and they grow on those with a little help from me and floral tape. I have the best luck with metal obelisks and the plants grow all over them with no help. They are in bloom right now and are spectular. I fertilize them with vegetable fertilizer.
Thanks so much Erin for this video. I'm planning on planting clematis soon and need all the info I can get.
Just ordered my 1st 2 clematis this year! Can't wait to try them out. Now I needs to research which group they're in so I can give them their best life!
Thank you Erin, very informational. Here’s just something that made me laugh when you said “I do do”🤣
Really appreciate all the info on Clematis: that there are three categories; pruning tips, & planting instructions. I've enjoyed my abundantly flowering Henrii for many years - and then last year, saw it turn black, then realized that was due to a blight. Didn't know what to do with it.
Before your mentioning that Clematis have large root systems, I'd considered relocating it where it won't be so swamped between a Mountain Laurel & my nice pink-red flowering Weigela. They all bloomed together, so for years formed a wall of blossoms, giving me more privacy by reaching up & shading the East / South facing corner of my house, where 2 large floor to ceiling windows meet.
I've often let the Weigela grow large, in recent years, but think that might've been what caused the blight - the vines were being blocked from the sun & good air circulation by so much growth of the Weigela. So I will cut them back before the spring warming prompts new growth, likely cutting the Clematis to the ground, & then hope to see healthy new growth this spring.
They both grow so much in a season. I could try keeping the Weigela smaller, & cut it back after the 1st bloom, to see if that helps to contain it. It'll likely bloom more the 2nd time by doing that too.
My jackmanii had a blight problem. I often got unsightly black leaves, ugh! Honestly? The best thing to happen to it is when I had to have my front stoop rebuilt, and the contractors just pushed the trellis over and onto the ground, snapping all of the stems. (They do NOT care about your plants!) I was hopping mad, but the next year, it regrew from the roots, all fresh stems, no more blight!
Perfect timing! I have three going in after this weekend's cold spell passes. Thanks, Erin!.
Thank you for clearing up the matter. I can breath easier now with my new plants.
My dogs always try to eat the Espoma fertilizer as well! I didn’t realize it was a common thing 🥴
You really helped me out today. In fact, I just bought a Gursey Cream. I will no doubt have more success now by using your info and tips. Thank you!
Karen Temple I love that clematis so much.
Loved this one! I've had one in fun sun for more than a decade and it has always done well, then I have another that just gets morning sun and it does well also. I totally understand the confusion. lol
Just ordered the Clematis book through your link and am so excited to be getting this book that you recommend. Clematis do so well on my property, so I have added a few new ones this year. This video is extremely helpful to me. Thanks for all you do, and for sharing with us.
I have a dark blue alpina that I planted last year under a double white French lilac. Prettiest thing in my garden right now! The blue bell shapes are so sweet amongst the lilac buds.
The alpinas are lovely and so wonderful this time of year.
Love! I just bought another clematis today...Blue Ravine. I've grown so many clematis over the years and lost quite a few too. It's definitely a love of mine. Great info and I like your matter of fact style.
I have a jackmanii that I cut down every spring. It's probably 50 years old. Climbs 15 feet up chicken wire. I've done it to others too. I'll have to ck on them. Jack is in the east, others in west. Always thought lack of sun was my problem.
I am glad to know that group three clematis can be planted more shallowly than group two to counteract rabbit damage.
I pruned mine about two months ago. Then a few weeks ago I added some fertilizer. I don't know what I did but the number of buds on my clematis plants are insane. I can't wait for them to bloom! Just an fyi for anyone interested. I deadheaded and fertilized my flowers every week and they bloomed constantly until it got cold.
Gardening Junkie Glad to hear you’ve found a method that works for you. I don’t deadhead a lot of mine because I think the seed pods are as beautiful as the flowers.
I have one who flowers very early (June 15th flowering is finish) and since last year, I didn't prune it. Now, I don't know how but it's on the fence and at 4-5 feet's away, there is a tree! This year, she is climbing in the tree a good 10 feet up!! So, as you said, pruning or not, they live!! I had a lot of clematis and it's easy to take care! Thanks.
I used to prune down hard on my Group 2 clematis which is so much quicker and easier but found I was losing the first bloom from them, this is because they bloom not only on new wood but also on old. They grew and bloomed but not as long or as early as when I do it in the thirds or even only cut back the old spent material. This year they are already twice as tall as last. So glad you addressed the head in sun and roots in shade, I totally agree and many of mine the root zone is in full sun but mulched well and on a drip.
Flower Patch Farmhouse Great info. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this tutorial... I can refer back to it when I purchase my clematis and plant them...💕
Hi Erin! Thanks so much for making this incredibly helpful video! I'm inspired to add a clematis to my cutting garden after watching this. Do you happen to have a favorite for cutting that you feel out performers others in the vase? On a different note - could you also share what mic you are using? I love to share video from around our flower farm, and I'm hoping to get better with my audio. I'm shooting on a Nikon 3400 and it does not have an external mic output. Thanks for everything and for sharing the love of gardening with everyone!
I am learning to grow plants , I have hydrangea, delphinium, columbine ,iris, anyway, looking on to a different plant to do, so I watched this video on clematis, so thank you for the information, never grew clematis.Cindy Rasmussen, Coeurd'alene, Id
Thank you! I just bought 2 one candy stripe and a lavender one. Both type 2. I like the idea of having it climb up the huge oak tree I have as my main focal point, bird feeder and bird bath. Lol it'll be great! Thanks again.
My first love too. They are beautiful
I have been wanting to try a clematis or two from Brushwood, but didn't know where to start, so thank you for this. Thank you also for your comment on the Rose Tone, I thought it was my imagination about the fertilizer attracting animals, not just dogs. Every time I use any of the Espoma fertilizers I have problems with something digging in the bed. It's gotten so bad that I have gone to covering a newly planted area with a piece of livestock fence I fashioned into a small dome to place over new plantings, and I leave it there sometimes a few weeks, that has helped.
I love clematis!! I plan on buying more this year. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for making this video, Erin! I love clematis but have always been confused about when and how to prune them. I have 4 different ones and would love to add more to my garden. I need to Google them (if I can find the tags) to find out what types I currently have. I really appreciate all the information and tips you provide! ~Margie
I have a group 2 clematis called vyvyan pennell that wilted five years in a row every year I threatened to dig it up and compost it then last year it bloomed for the first year a total diva be if ever there was so glad. I kept it now great video very informative keep up the good work
I have five clematis in my front yard so pretty in spring I don’t do much pruning at all just provide a trellis I love my garden
Thankyou Erin just received barefoot Clem it’s called President Clem and from researching believe it’s number 2 ...I’m in NWFl and do hope for the best ...any info from you would be awesome since I’m kinda pushing zone we expect lil freeze tomorrow nite 3/19/23 so I soaked rootball and just for few days put in pot... thanks so much for all you give and share to us gardeners... love your channel
I have the montana clematis in my English garden - the large mid Summer flowering clematis can suffer from wilt - fortunately the montanas don't - and look great! The late flowering varieties are also easy because you just cut them right back each year, as they flower on new growth.
yes! My dog loves espoma fertilizer too! he follows behind me licking the dirt! Unfortunately I've had to switch to a water soluble fertilizer in the backyard (where he has access). I use it only in the front yard where he doesn't have free reign.
I’m planning on doing a video planting these with my roses. First time for everything
Great info, Erin. I am only left with one clematis out of 3. Unfortunately the deer took out the other 2. Now I am armed with Bobex which works well for us. We put an alert on our phone to spray every 2 weeks. I'm ready to try again, as I really love them.
Nice video. I have 3 clematis, but couldn’t tell you much about them. I’m definitely going to pickup the book to better educate myself. Thank you!
I didn't know there were different types. I just have always cut them back to the ground right before winter is supposed to hit (zone 4b). I guess I'm lucky I've had the right kind for that. I just bought 2 new ones, though, and I see they are type 2. Thanks for the tips!
Best video ever thank you !my favorite flower!
I grow Jackmanii and Nelly Mosher together on a trellis...West side and shaded roots with mulch and in Zone 5, central Iowa....2 years ago, I didn’t prune them....as May approached, I snipped just the “small thin viney” pieces that looked dead...fertilized and oh my gosh, they bloomed like crazy and for a couple months....just gorgeous. Some say “Jacks” don’t need hard pruning.
What type of fertilizer do you use for your clematis?
Thank you!
@@rsgnyc13 ...I give my clematis about 4 cups of composted manure in the spring and work it into the soil a little bit...usually around the end of April...Clems are heavy feeders and they love the composted manure. Just don't overdo it.
Erin, we've been shopping w/Brushwood for a year or 2. I sure wish you'd had this planting advice online before this... Our last 2 are due next week - so all is not lost yet!
I also Love Clematis. Thank you for the useful information and tips for growing. I am going to have to try one of the Bush types.
MKR Creations
I'm so happy to see that my jackmanii clematis is coming up strong this spring. Last summer it wilted and I cut it to the ground as advised. I have another one (which I cannot remember what variety) that grows a bit farther from its support. So the past few years I would pull it horizontally towards the support and it would just stop growing. After several years of doing this, I put a stake nearby and so far it's growing up taller and will hopefully make it up the porch post this year! I wrap stainless steel wire around my porch posts for clematis support after seeing Martha train hers this way on her fancy granite posts. Thanks so much for the helpful pruning advice! I need to get outside and fertilize mine right now!
I had a Henryii on a fence that I had to tear out and replace the fence in spring.. It bloomed very later but it looked amazing! It’s already all leafed out, and of course I didn’t prune it at all this year. Meanwhile my unidentified dark blue one has yet to show any growth.
Oh my gosh! Thank you for this. I’ve never understood how to care for my clematis. Now I do 😊
I learned this year how much dogs love Espoma fertilizer... even though i scratched it in, my dog still went out licking the soil!!!! 😂😂😂😂
Donnielle Carney One of our dogs is insane about it. And the effects, although temporary, are not great.
At least when planting new items, I have learned to use fertilizer in the bottom 1/3 - 1/2 the planting hole only, and my dogs don't seem to know it is there. Regardless - Espoma products are the best.
This was exactly the information I needed today. Thank you
Just planting clematis today! Thanks for the tips. 🌸🌸🌸
Thanks for the great video. I have a clematis setting outside ready to be planted under a Miss Kim lilac. Now I know what to do.
Great video, I have six clematis and three are doing beautifully the other three have brown leaves on the bottom and don’t bloom more then once (few blooms).
Hi Erin. Considering planting a group 3 Huldine in zone 5b I’ve nurtured in a pot outside since early Spring. Impulse buy at a local garden center. It didn’t seem to have much of a root system. Maybe I should be bringing it inside to overwinter? Thanks so much for inspiring to try new things and take chances. A little microcosm of life living lessons. 😊
Love Clematis; not sure what variety I have.... probably Jackmanii. I have it planted by post of a split rail fence; been there about 15 years. I never prune; it's somewhat of a mess; but blooms beautifully.
I have always been confused by clematis. Thanks for this video! I just ordered two group 3's from Brushwood :)
Thanks for the great info Erin. I have one large flower that I think is group two. It never gets too big because I don’t think it gets enough sun through the season (area starts off sunny until the large surrounding trees leaf out). So I don’t do too much trimming on it. I usually wait until I see leaves. I do want to get more. I am interested in the ones in group 3 that don’t vine.
Great video, thanks for taking the time to give a lot of information on clematis. I'm thinking of growing them in a few pots as a spiller this season then planting them out in the yard in Fall. I'm inspired now!
This was an amazing video. Thanks so much! I have about 6, only one of which I still know the name of. I always think I’m killing them so you really put my mind at ease
I have three that I planted over the last three yrs, they get morning sun and none have gotten larger than 6”. I keep waiting for them to do some thing. Seems like every spring they shoot up, and the man steps on them and they break before they can get started. I have a trellis around them, and this year it was the roofers that screwed things up, they moved the trellis and I didn’t realize it, as I was at work when they came, roofed and was gone when I came home...they placed it close, but not exact...and darn it, the man stepped on them, yes again! Ha, maybe next year will be their year!! Maybe I just needed to fertilize them, which thank you, I didn’t realize clematis were fairly heavy feeders?? I have two more that do very well and two others that are just getting their feet planted and got some decent blooms out of them, 2 others that I don’t think they made it thru our crazy Texas February freeze we had this year! Nonetheless, I love clematis too, and will be diligent in getting the 3 that keep trying, to eventually make their place in my front garden known!! Thanks for the tips!!!
Great information. Thank you for putting this together.
Thanks for your content, appreciate you!!!
I once owned seven plants and ended up with three several years later and I don’t think a single one of them is any bigger than the day I bought it !
...when I lived in Toronto I grew one that covered almost an entire fence And just can’t figure out why I am not having success in zone 4B!
Phew! That was helpful. Thanks.
This video is right on time. I just purchased 2 gorgeous blues: Bernadine (gp 2) and Guiding Promise (gp 3). What I like about group 2's is that they flower on old and new wood.
Make a few speres of chicken wire... hold down with a landscape fabric clip.... use wire cutters pulling random wires outward... around the bottom.. you can cover with mulch to hide .. rabbits can't get to the plant that you have inside the sphere...
Thank you so much for the great info!🙏🙏
Perfect timing! I just planted my very first Clematis yesterday; Sweet Summer Love, by Proven Winners. I did plant in a huge container as I was scared 😂. I’m unsure of the group, I don’t see it listed on the tag. 🤷🏻♀️ Do I treat the same way as if it were in the ground? Also ... YES the dogs love that Espoma fertilizer 😳 they drive me crazy! I just planted strawberries in a huge tub, no straw yet, and they climbed in the tub and destroyed it! 😤😂
Penny Womack I just planted the same clematis from proven winners. Looked it up on the website... says it’s deciduous, blooms on new wood, and benefits from a hard prune in late winter as long as you leave 2 pairs of buds on each stem. I’m so excited for these gorgeous flowers! But website also says be prepared for this clematis to focus on root growth it’s first season rather than blooms. 🌸🧐
It looks beautiful in the Catalog, that's all I have to say
Omg the clematis urophylla and ther mrs. robbert brydon in my bosses garden are a few of my fav Clems. Also roguchi, its actually one my bosses introduced the the us.
My favorite too! Thanks!
Love the white. Henrii...The only one I have left that is still alive is the dark purple Jackmanii -my least favourite! Elsa spath was a beauty until she gave up the ghost too :(
Wow, probably the best Clematis video I have ever watched! I have several in my tiny yard - not sure which group, but they seem to do well even though I am no expert. Very rewarding easy plants. Can you please share your mail-order sources for your plants? I would love some good sources as my local nurseries all have the same basic varieties and I would like to find some that are less common. Like everyone else, I’d like a blue colored variety and find that they never seem to look like the pictures. Do you think the soil PH and light conditions effect the color immensely? Also you said you don’t fertilize while they are blooming. Is it safe to fertilize while they have mature flower buds on them in the Spring? I pruned mine in late March and gave them some fertilizer. They all have buds now. So should I wait until they are done blooming to fertilize again?
Erin, I love your videos. I've always been afraid to try clematis but I might try them now. You give the best information and make it look doable. Thanks!