Rose or Tomato Fertilizer,anything with a higher Middle number in the N-P-K ratio...I also top dress my beds each year with composted cowmanure and mulch..nutrients are great but I do toss in 13-13-13 early Spring and then the Rose or Tomato Fertilizer once they start emerging...Jeanne

Thanks Jeanne. Do you mean once the vines start emerging, or the buds? Do you apply the 13-13-13 before they even sprout out of the ground? Thanks again!

I apply the 13-13-13 when I hard prune my clematis which is around late Feb for my zone..this gives your plants a balance breakfast for waking up ..then 2-3 weeks later I apply my rose or tomato fertilizer...NEVER use Rose or Tomato fertilizer once your clematis has set flowerbuds as this will ONLY RUSH your bloom period...Jeanne

I use compost and Rose Tone. I'm not particularly good about getting it done on any kind of a schedule. I'm really good about buying fertilizers etc. and leaving them on the shelf in the shed.

I also used Alfalfa Meal last year as it was supposed to help them sprout more. I will say that some that were scraggly did sprout more this year but I'm not sure if it was the alfalfa or their age.

Some of mine have set buds, and a couple opened up yesterday and today!! Some still don't have buds yet, but to be safe I think I'll wait 'til next year to fertilize. For now maybe I'll buy some Rose Tone and leave it on the shelf in the shed :-D

I top dress my entire garden, including the clematis (a few dozen vines), whenever a load of compost is ready - usually 2-4 times a year. I don't use anything else.

I use alfalfa pellets, compost, and whatever kind of composted manure I can get my hands on. Rosetone also works great, but I find that I have to get it out of the shed and on to the ground for the best results. lol