I would put 5. All 5 would be of the same prunning group and I would just stain the fence and then sit back and enjoy the view. Please post picture's when you have it completed. I think your clematis's will be more then happy on that fence. Sandy

me, I'd plant at least five if not six-seven. plant the variety(s) that you like and worry about color only.

5 or 6 of the same pruning group, IIIs are the ones recommended by Miguel who lived in NC. He recommended them very strongly over IIs for your climate.

I'd stain it rather than paint it.

Miguel would laugh at the thought of only putting 5 or 6 clematis there...he was my Mentor and guru and help me to become a Southern Style Clematis huzzy!!..He was known to plant 6-8 inches apart maybe even a foot!!..he loved their entwined beauty..and yeah..I would either add white resin lattice over that or as Bos said stain instead of paint..paint does end up peeling and looking horrible in years to come..If you plant pruning group 3's all along that area..you will be glad as you can hard prune to get back there to replace wood or whatever..please share pics..for that will be a magnificent centerpiece in your gardens..I did the same thing and named it my "Miguel Memorial Gardens" and in honor planted them about 6 inches apart and am going to order clematis "Miguel Viso" from Dan next year to add to that area...Jeanne

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Of course this was planted much early and should take new pics as it is really taking off...

Yeah, I tend to pack them in, and quite like them that way - clematis do a good job of finding enough space for themselves. I have ten on 16' of fencing.

Ah Jeanne, so glad you are still here, next to Miguel, you are my guru.

It depends on what your aesthetic is, but clematis look better when planted heavily along a fence like that. I did not plant my fence section heavily, which is a little over 24' long. Most of the time it looks scrappy. I am completely redoing it this year.

I agree. I have good drainage in my soil, and an area of fence that has no other root competition. I have clematis spaced 12 or so inches apart. So if this were in my soil and I was watering regularly, I would plant about 9 in that space.

Thank you so much for the feedback. I have moved 7 over there from various locations that needed to be "saved" and there is still a bit of room left on the end, so it looks like I have room for 2 or 3 more with the spacing between that I allowed for the others.

I'm going to stain it, which is what my original plan was, so thanks for confirming that. I'll post pics when things start moving along. Thanks again!

Hi, I would leave the fence alone. I think plants always look better on that old weathered look wood. It doesn't detract from them. And then there's no upkeep later that maybe doesn't fit in with the plants growing on it. I think it will look great with clems growing up it.

swontgirl took the words right out of my mouth... I love your fence just the way it is, with the beautiful silver of weathered wood. If I would change anything in that picture it would be your mulch, to something more natural instead of the dyed looking reddish mulch. I guess it's just personal taste though. I agree with those who have suggested planting your clems close together and squeezing in lots of them to really cover the fence. Have fun!

Must tell you that I believe staining, painting, etc. would be a mistake. In my mind nothing is as pretty as the clean lines and gorgeous color of a plant against aged wood. And, that wood will never need any upkeep the color it is.
Soooooooooo, please just leave the fence like it is and plant a multitude of clems to flood it with color!

Any pictures for us yet?

Marie, who also likes close planting