How long to wait for blooms ?

maximus2015

10 years ago

I have purchased (5) Clematis plants that will be shipped this Spring. (4) of them will be delivered in Quart-sized pots. (1) will have come from a Gallon-sized container.

I'm curious to know with the plants that are coming in Quart-sized containers, how long will I have to wait before these clematis bloom ? Will they bloom this year ? Or will I have to wait 3-years for them to reach a mature size so that they will bloom ? (3) of the Clematis will be planted in Stone urns, and (2) of the Clematis will be planted in the ground. Thank you for any information you can provide.

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NHBabs z4b-5a NH

10 years ago

I find that it is worth ordering through mail order for myself. I get a much wider selection of choices, I can be sure they are true to type since I order from reputable nurseries, and they are healthier than big box stores. My local independent garden centers only get 2-4 varieties per year, and they are most commonly type 2 prune which are my least favorite as a general class - since they are in bloom when folks are shopping for plants, they are an easier sell. I prefer the clematis that bloom either before the main flush of blooms in my garden or later in the season.

I wouldn't say you have to wait to year 3 for much action. In year two even the slowest have the kind of impact as a good-sized perennial or better.

Mikelite year 1 - planted late summer the previous growing season

Mikelite year 2 - As you can see from the seedheads, it has been blooming for a few weeks at this point and my photos tell me that it bloomed for more than a week longer. It has reached the top of its support which is about 3'; from here it rambles onto shrubs.

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Comments (7)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
Do your stone urns have drainage, I hope? If not, you will want to rethink that plan since clematis aren't fond of sitting in water.

I have mail-ordered quite a number of quart sized clematis since there aren't many available locally. IME sometimes they will have a flower the first year (which I don't have the heart to remove), and all of mine have had some flowers the second year and a few (Juuli, Mikelite, and Prince Charles to name a few) have had a good number of blooms. It's recommended that all pruning types get hard pruned the first winter to encourage pushing out of more stems. I find that the third year they all have a good number of blooms.
maximus2015
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, all of the Urns have Drainage holes. Your reply was pretty much what I have read about Clematis. You have to wait until the 3rd Year before you see much action or blooms on your clematis. I probably should have waited and just went to my local Garden Center or Home Depot/Lowe's and purchased Clematis in much larger containers in full bloom! Duh! Oh well ... :(
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maximus2015
Original Author
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yes, I do agree, I found the largest selection of Clematis online from mail-order Clematis Nurseries. I just wish they should supply larger and older plants. Some of them seem to sell Clematis in Quart-sized pots.
dbarron
10 years ago
Well there's a couple of reasons for that (that I know of):

1) the cost of additional year(s) of growth...do you want to pay for that ?

2) larger plant/pot, shipping costs and difficulties, again do you want to pay for that ?

3) Simply put, a small plant will usually establish better in the ground than a larger one.
maximus2015
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, you are right. I know that in my heart. I'm just an impatient gardener .... plus 4 of my Clematis are being planted in Stone Urns, and only 2 are being planted in the ground. I'm so hoping for blooms this Spring/Summer, but I fear I may be disappointed.
mnwsgal
10 years ago
My experience is the same as NHBabs, maybe a bloom or two or three the first year from small starter plants, more blossoms the second year and many more the third year for most of the clematis that I have grown. There are a few varieties though that may be slow growers.

One way to fill a planter with blooms the first year is to buy a large blooming plant from a local nursery. Otherwise it is patience, patience.