Bent to be On Topic....

16 years ago

I'll start out by apologising for being off topic here. And I'll do my best to turn this around to being about wintersowing still. But I know you gardeners have experience. And from the pictures I've seen, some of you have some gorgeous clematis.. so I'm sure you can help me.

My inlaws just moved into a new house. There was a beautiful clematis growing up the wall. Or I assume it was beautiful. I never saw it in bloom. But it's HUGE. I commented that it must be stunning when we went to see the new digs.

This morning, a huge garbage bag was on my porch. FIL dug it out, and chopped it down to about knee height. The poor thing has pretty much been butchered. But there's still some new growth on it, and he got out most of the roots in tact. There's not a lot of root damage from what I can tell.

I made a spot for it in my garden. Climbing up a wrought iron arbour I have. The plant itself is facing east, so it will get morning to early afternoon sun. Dappled shade from about 2pm on. I planted it with a tonne of almost finished compost. And then covered that with a pile of bagged leaves in case we have a few more frosty nights.

Is there anything more I can do for this poor guy?

And.. to tie it into topic.. what should I wintersow to grow around the base of this guy? I know the adage of clematis loving their roots in the shade, and their heads in the sun.

Ideas? Suggestions?

I really didn't want to post in the Clematis forum. I don't have enough information for them. I have no idea the variety.. and I know it's been badly abused. (I'm afraid they might yell call the clematis police on me *pout*)

I really hope I can save this guy.

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Comments (3)

tiffy_z5_6_can
16 years ago
"..there's still some new growth on it, and he got out most of the roots in tact. There's not a lot of root damage from what I can tell."

You scored! Water it well in the first while for it to get used to it's new home. You may even see some new growth coming from the soil. Even if it pouts for this year and the next, leave it there. Some Clematis take a couple of years to establish themselves.

Any perennial or annual which will keep the footing of the soil at the base of the Clematis cool is fine. I have perennial geraniums, Lynchnis, Coreopsis, Phlox, Daylilies, etc.
beck_wi
16 years ago
I've heard that clematis need to be damp instead of cool but I've never tested it.

Last year I got 9 root balls from my sisters neighbor... they had cut them down to the ground and then dug out the roots.... 6 of them are about 8" tall this spring so I think yours will be just fine.
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gardenweed_z6a
16 years ago
My mom went to the great hereafter thinking she couldn't grow clematis here. I paid attention to my friend's mother who, at 94, grew the most amazing clematis on the NORTH side of her senior apartment. That thing bloomed so profusely it was impossible to count the flowers.
I planted clematis here after Mom passed. The first one is on the east side of the house. Since that one bloomed the first year I planted it, I set a few at the southeast corner of the house. Next I planted them on the northwest corner. So far this year all have a ton of new growth. I've got various perennials planted at their base to shade the roots (thanks for the daylily suggestion tiffy!). This year 'The President' and 'Duchess of Edinburgh' have buds on them.
I did read in a book called 'My Connecticut Garden' that the author dumped wood ashes on his clematis in January each year so I've followed suit. I have no idea if it helps but judging by the clems growing here it obviously doesn't hurt.
I don't think frosty nights bother them either. Once they're up, they are hardy.
Oh and by the way...there aren't any clematis police. I'd keep an eye out for peony police and rose police though if I were you.