Seeking advice for a sad clematis

11 years ago

I stopped by the clearance section of my local garden center today and found one goodie, a sweet summer love clematis for $5. I have been keeping an eye out for a dark purple clematis for our porch. It is small and sad looking but still has green leaves, and I have had quite the green thumb this season so I am up for a challenge. Since it is so small, what should be my next move with this plant? I did a search and read a few posts that said pot it up before planting in the ground. The only thing I do know about clematis is that the roots should get shade and the foliage should get full/partial sun. But, this plant is way too small for that to work. Would it help if I covered the base of the plant with something? Or should I leave it in the pot in a shady area until it gets a little bigger?

TIA, Nicole

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
11 years ago
You don't say where you are, but most clematis are happy in fairly full sun. Don't worry about the feet in the shade thing; they grow fine in black nursery pots in the sun, so they don't need shade. However, they do appreciate even moisture (probably where the whole feet in the shade thing came from), so mulch the area around (not against) the stems, and plant deeper than it is in the pot.

Some folks grow them larger in pots, but I find that mine do better planted directly in the ground in good garden soil, regardless of plant size. Just don't plant them where they will be overwhelmed by other plants while they are still small.
Nicola Ness thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH
Nicola Ness
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you! I am in zone 6b up in eastern pennsylvania. We just moved into a new house, and got our internet set up 2 days ago, so i have been using my phone to sign on here for the past 6 weeks, and couldn't get my zone settings to stick, i'll have to fix that now!

i wasn't completely sure where to put it quite yet, so i moved it into a larger pot yesterday with a mix of leaf compost, top soil, and vermiculite and watered with a little super thrive. It was in a quart size pot, with good yellow roots 8-10" long. the pot was full of really heavy soggy soil so i am glad i repotted it at least. It doesn't look any worse today so ill take that as a positive for now. Its only about 6" tall, and there is a large dead section in the center with new growth coming off of it. i removed a few pieces of very dead branches, but since there is new growth coming out of old wood, i didn't touch anything that wasn't ready to fall off. Our garden is still very sparse, so it won't have any competition at all until i give it some. I think i'll give it some time to perk up and then find it a permanent spot where it can climb the porch.
Related Professionals
Macon Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mesquite Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Atlanta Landscape Contractors · Topeka Landscape Contractors · Lawton Landscape Contractors · Fall River Landscape Contractors · Allentown Landscape Contractors · Idaho Falls Landscape Contractors · Dover Design-Build Firms · Williamsport Design-Build Firms · Los Angeles Design-Build Firms · Murrieta Design-Build Firms · Lewiston Design-Build Firms · Longview Design-Build Firms
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
With the soil mix you used, you won't want to keep it in a pot for very long. That too will rapidly become very heavy, soggy soil and lacks proper drainage and aeration. Keep an eye on it, don't overwater and plant in the ground as soon as possible.
Nicola Ness thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Nicola Ness
Original Author
11 years ago
i think i threw some perlite in there too ( i hope). I'm pretty sure it was in MG moisture control mix before. ill scope out a good spot for it and try to get it in the ground by the end of the week.