I only have two clematis thus far and for both I've used hostas that like some sun.

Rick

You don't have to shade the roots though you can plant in front of them if they get leggy. None of mine have anything deliberately planted to shade their roots.

BorS is correct - the 'shading the roots' requirement is just another of the many myths associated with growing clematis. What they DO like is a cool, evenly moist root run. Planting other, semi-spreading shallow rooted plants in the root vicinity can help to achieve that - they act like groundcovers and insulate the soil - but the exact same effect can be achieved just by mulching.

My recommendation is that you plant whatever you like with clematis, as long as they share similar growing requirements - just as you would make combination choices with any other plants in your garden. Or leave them to grow as stand-alone specimens if you prefer, with an adequate layer of mulch. If I planted anything with them, I would steer away from annuals - too much cultivation in the root zone with annual planting/replacement of seasonal flowers or crops is likely to unnecessarily disturb the clematis root system.

Thanks so much to everyone for your great ideas & helpful input. Keeping the roots cool enough is just my problem when it's 110F or 43C on my concrete patio. Isn't Pacific Northwest z8 cooler than that? I live in a condo with a small yard & limited choices, see link to pics.

Gardengal48 gives me an idea - sink the pots that BoS had me put my baby clems in & thickly mulch the whole area. Rick uses hosta in the ground, I can use basil in pots. The tall basil will provide shade from the boiling sun & coolness; move the basil pots to another flower bed when I water them, that way clems won't drown. Basil is supposed to repel mosquitoes, the other problem on my patio.

When the clems eventually get planted in the ground, keep growing basil from seed in the spring & keep it in pots. That way I won't drown the clems & I won't disturb the root systems. Tell me if this won't work. Thanks to all of you I have a plan!

2 large trellises at edge of HOT concrete patio:


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Pictures of Flowers Summer 2009.