Cultivation Advice

Important info!

Below is a list of cultivation information for the different groups of clematis.
Please keep in mind that clematis are a very diverse genus of plant, consequently their care and cultivation needs can vary widely, so this page is here to help you get the best out of your plants and ensure their success in your garden.
If you are unsure which group your plant belongs to, simply go to the plant page on the website because all this information is included on every plant page under the Cultivation Information Tab.

Armandii

These spring flowering clematis produce clusters of sweetly scented flowers. Their long narrow leaves are evergreen, leathery in texture and are similar to those of the common laurel. 

The Armandii prefer a sunny, free draining situation to enable them to perform well.  If required, prune immediately after flowering. 
These clematis can sometimes struggle in soil which is prone to water-logging. Give them a wall or sturdy fence to climb and ensure the soil is free draining.  Occasionally some leaves will die off through age, this is natural and they can be carefully trimmed off.
Evergreen clematis have a natural dormant period which is around mid-summer when they look ‘tired’.

Atragene Spring Flowering

This includes the alpina, chisanensis, koreana, macropetala and their hybrids, i.e. spring flowering cultivars with nodding bell-like flowers and are all very hardy.  

They do not need the 'rich' growing conditions or deep planting that the large flowered cultivars prefer. Atragene clematis have a very fine root system so they will not thrive in soil which is prone to water-logging and they will actually be happier in poorer soils with very free draining conditions, so plant in the spring and if required, prune immediately after main flowering has finished.

Cirrhosa

These winter flowering clematis produce masses of nodding bell-like flowers. Whilst the foliage is classed as EVERGREEN it looks at its best in autumn, winter and spring, they can have a natural dormant period in summer, when the leaves sometimes go brown.  

The Cirrhosa require a sunny, free draining situation that is sheltered from the worst of the cold winds.  If required, prune immediately after flowering.
IMPORTANT! While in a dormant state during summer they do not want frequent watering because this can cause damage to the root, they are used to being dry during the summer.

Diversifolia

These herbaceous cultivars are clump-forming scramblers, or semi-climbers.

In general, they have non-clinging stems and can be allowed to scramble in herbaceous borders, alternatively they can be used to clamber through open shrubs, small trees, rambler and shrub roses, or obelisks.    They are all hardy, very free flowering, trouble-free clematis, suitable to use as cut flowers and come highly recommended.

Early to Mid-Summer

This group of large flowered clematis are selected because they flower before June (many will flower again later in the year) and for the most part they require light pruning to achieve best flowering performance.

These clematis prefer a good quality soil with high nutrient levels and a soil which is moist but free-draining. Improve planting holes with at least 2 forkfuls of well rotted manure or garden compost and if you don't have these use a 'Soil Improver' compost. The Improvement material added should be placed under the root of the plant not around it. This encourages the roots to grow downwards and remain deep and cool during summer.

If your clematis flowers in May-June (late spring), cut the dead flower heads when they have finished to encourage a second set of flowers to be produced in the late summer and autumn. Some people prefer to keep these clematis very compact by pruning the plant back by about half, once the early flowers have finished.
Be prepared to wait for a couple of years before they will be at their best - Our saying is - 1st year = Roots, 2nd year = Shoots, 3rd year = Flowers!

Flammula

This lovely group of scented clematis can make useful additions to our gardens. They produce literally hundreds of star-like flowers, which have a hawthorn-like perfume, attracting bees and butterflies to the garden.  

Whilst these can be grown in any aspect, they will flower better, and the perfume will be stronger if grown in a sunny, free draining position. All these clematis have very fine root systems and will not thrive in heavy soil, which is prone to water-logging.  They will actually be happier in poorer soils with very free draining conditions, so also consider spring planting to avoid them wetting-off over winter.

Florida

Exotic, striking and great value!

The florida group clematis will give your garden that little something extra which you didn’t know it needed.

These stunning clematis are very prolific and can flower for a very long time when given the right care and attention, so here are my top tips for the florida clematis. 

I would recommend growing florida clematis in large pots because they perform very well and they make a stunning display on a patio. Stand the container on the patio from late February to early October and then move it into a sheltered corner or cold glasshouse to over-winter. They will not need heated conditions during the winter, just shelter and if taking them undercover they will probably continue flowering.

In early March the previous season’s growth should be hard pruned down to approximately one foot (30cm) from the soil level and a fresh ‘top-dressing’ of compost and bonemeal can be applied to the container. Use Westland Gro-Sure Slow Release Plant Food for consistent feeding through the year. 

Avoid keeping the florida’s too wet over the winter, on the other hand they must not be allowed to dry out completely. Always ensure the pot drains freely and each year harden the plants off during late March as described in the Planting & Care Guide. 

When planting florida clematis in the garden they will require the shelter of a south or south – west facing wall, with good free draining soil. A sheet of bubble plastic or a double layer of garden fleece draped across and pegged into position will keep the worst of the winter weather at bay. This protection can be removed during early March so that hard pruning can be carried out, then feed with a single handful of bonemeal and water it in. Replace the protection until the worst of the weather has passed.

Forsteri

Clematis from the group forsteri are often referred to as New Zealand clematis.  These clematis originate from species native to New Zealand and have attractive evergreen foliage. They are well suited to growing in free-draining soil or pots with free draining or alpine compost and may prefer the more sheltered places in your garden.  'Early Sensation' produces amazing seed-heads when grown alongside 'Joe'.

We recommend that you grow all the clematis in this group in free-draining soil or containers for the smaller cultivars and give them the benefit of a sheltered aspect. They do not cling as freely as other clematis so are often used as scramblers or if used as a climber may need occasional tying in to their support. The compost for containers should ideally be very free draining and mixing in a few handfuls of horticultural grit or perlite will help.  Make sure the pot can drain freely and reduce watering in the autumn because they over-winter better if slightly dry, rather than too wet. Consider Spring planting to avoid them wetting-off over winter.
Interesting fact: Clematis from this group are dioecious meaning the plant will produce either male or female flowers.

Heracleifolia

These fabulous, yet unusual clematis are classed as herbaceous sub-shrubs as their growth is so very different from the rest of the genus Clematis. 'Cassandra', 'Wyevale' and stans, have erect woody stems and produce clusters of hyacinth shaped flowers. 'Praecox' produces star-like flowers with recurved tips and woody scrambling stems.

The heracleifolia originate from Eastern China and Korea where the winters are colder and summers hotter than we experience here in the UK.
The plant has adapted leaves that hang on to the stems during the autumn instead of dropping off and this means they hinge down from the leaf axils creating a teepee like shape over the crown of the plant. In their native habitat this would then often be covered be a layer of snow during the winter creating an insulating barrier for the plant until the spring thaw, when the leaf and stem would have rotted through and created a mulch which the new shoots would push up through during the spring.

These make excellent plants for the border, they are easy to grow and bloom over a long period.  This group of plants flower and perform better in sunny free draining conditions so consider spring planting to avoid them wetting-off over winter.
Leave pruning until mid-spring(April) when the weather has improved. Do NOT prune these hard in autumn or winter when tidying other herbaceous plants as the Heracleifolia Group over-winter better with the old growth left intact.

Integrifolia

These herbaceous clematis are clump-forming scramblers, they have non-clinging stems and can be allowed to scramble in herbaceous borders.

Check out our Blog post - Abundant Integrifolia Alba

They are good 'front of border' plants, make excellent companions in beds of bush roses, they can also be grown in window boxes, hanging baskets or cascading over a retaining wall.  They are exceptionally hardy, trouble free, very free flowering and as with other herbaceous plants, they die back in winter. All are suitable to use as cut flowers.

Mid-Summer to Autumn

This collection of clematis are classed 'late' as they bloom June or later and they have large flowers in contrast to many of the species and their cultivars.

Montana

The Montanas are ideal for softening the outline of buildings, covering fences and walls, but be aware some can be very vigorous! Any of these will look fabulous scrambling up into large mature trees as they would in the wild.
'Freda' is one 'lady-like' montana, and 'Primrose Star', 'Sunrise' and 'Marjorie' are also generally more manageable.

The Montana prefer a free draining soil condition and can be susceptible to 'wetting off' during the winter if they are kept too wet so consider spring planting to avoid this happening. If required, pruning should be carried out immediately flowering has finished.

Check out our Magnificent Montanas Blog here - Magnificent Montanas

Recta

This lovely group of clematis can make useful additions to your herbaceous borders, with their abundance of star-like flowers which have a hawthorn perfume, they will attract bees and butterflies to the garden.  
Whilst they can be grown in any aspect they will flower better and the perfume will be stronger if grown in a sunny, free draining position.

To look their best, the non-climbing stems require support to hold them erect. The purply-bronze foliage of recta Purpurea is wonderful in late spring and early summer.

Tangutica

The tangutica clematis are extremely useful in the garden, providing colour and interest from mid-summer through to late autumn, with most producing excellent seed-heads for added interest in the winter months.  

In some countries these wonderful plants are considered to be invasive and problematic, however in the UK this is not the case. The tangutica clematis are extremely useful in the garden, providing colour and interest from mid-summer through to late autumn, with most producing excellent seed-heads for added interest in the winter months.  They cope well with hot, sunny situations and are drought tolerant, even thriving in poorer conditions where you would think they would struggle. They will not tolerate very heavy clay soils that sit waterlogged, nor any over-watering.  Very easy to grow and low maintenance with simple pruning.

Avoid them becoming too excessively wet during their first autumn and winter in the ground or perhaps plant in the spring.
The tangutica can all be late to show new shoots and growth in the spring, so do not panic and think that they are dead, they are just having a lay in!
Lastly the tangutica do not require the deep planting that the large flowered clematis need, so planting at the same depth as they are in their pot is sufficient.

Texensis & Viorna

The plants of this much sought after group have distinctive 'trumpet' or nodding urn-shaped flowers and are all excellent plants which deserve space in anyone's garden. Used as climbers, they all prefer a situation that is sunny yet not too windy or they can be allowed to scramble over and through other plants which enhances their natural beauty.

These natural climbers are classed as semi-herbaceous, as during a very hard winter their growth will die back and they will re-shoot from below soil level. Consistent watering in summer, combined with good rich soil will ensure they perform at their best. 

Viticella

Included in this group are those clematis commonly thought of as Viticella's, or viticella crosses. However we have taken the liberty to include some other cultivars in this group because their growth, habit and appearance is identical to that of the Viticella's. They include the likes of 'Blekitny Aniol', 'Polish Spirit' and 'Prince Charles' because of their similarities, and for ease of selection, we feel justified in placing them within this group.

They are all extremely hardy, very free flowering, their pruning is simple and they cannot be recommended highly enough. Especially useful for people new to growing clematis as they are extremely tolerant of what the gardener does to them! They all make excellent companions to grow with roses.

These clematis prefer a good quality soil with high nutrient levels and a soil which is moist but free-draining. Improve planting holes with at least 2 forkfuls of well rotted manure or garden compost and if you don't have these use a 'Soil Improver' compost. The improvement material added should be placed under the root of the plant not around it. This encourages the roots to grow downwards and remain deep and cool during summer.There is no need to deadhead these clematis, however if they appear to have finished flowering earlier than you expected, there is no harm in giving them a light trim to encourage new growth and a secondary flowering late in the autumn.

Evergreen Clematis as a whole.

Please do not grow these clematis in exposed and very windy situations, they can also struggle in heavy soil which is prone to water-logging because they have fine roots that can rot easily, causing them not to thrive and possibly even die.  Instead ensure the soil is very free draining for them.  Although classified as evergreen occasionally some leaves will die off, this is natural and they can be carefully removed with sharp scissors.

Evergreen clematis still have a natural dormant period which is around mid-summer when they can look ‘tired’.  In extreme heat, cirrhosa may drop their leaves, whilst napaulensis and 'Christmas Surprise' do so every summer.  Do not water too much at this time, but give them two or three doses of liquid tomato feed at fortnightly intervals which will perk them up and will encourage them to produce fresh leaves and flower better for you.