Veseys

Gardeners’ Forum: “clematis”

• clematis

  Posted by Pauline on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 6:59 pm ADT

  my clematis refuses to climb my fence! I bought a very healthy clematis vine this spring and planted it as required. It looks healthy and is putting out 'climber' threads or whatever you might call them, but they are heading in the wrong direction, away from the fence that I supposed they would climb up. I think I made a slight mistake in planting it, as it seemed to be leaning a bit away from the fence, but, I thougt it would orientate itself. Besides the fence in back of it, there is nothing for it to climb on, so it is just kind of looping off to the front and sending its leaders out to nowhere! Hmmm, will it find the fence which is behind it just 6 to 8 inches, or do I have to trellis it and train it? Never planted a clematis before. Suggestions? Also, I have worked some bone meal around the plant, not close to the plant but in the soil around it. I am hoping this will be good for it. Thanks to whoever can help me.

  • re: clematis

    Posted by Debra on Friday, June 22, 2007 3:18 am ADT

    Clematis need some type of open support such as a trellis or lattice. The vines need to be loosely tied to the support and then they will eventually twine themselves around the support. The bottom of the vine likes it cool and shady with the top in the sun so it's best if a small plant or shrub is at it's base and that you put mulch around it to keep the roots cool. Bone meal is great to add to pretty much any planting hole or as a fertilizer. Hope that helps!

  • re: clematis

    Posted by peihobby on Friday, June 22, 2007 10:18 pm ADT

    Bone meal is fine. You might have to train the plant. Try tieing the plant to the fence, it will eventually just grab hold after a while

  • re: clematis

    Posted by Cryssie on Monday, July 9, 2007 7:17 am ADT

    you need a small lattice or the like to lean against the fence to get your clematis to grow on.. you might need to carefully twine the feelers on the lattice but eventially it will do it itself and climb away.. I've had to do this with a few of mine once they get started their fine.

  • re: clematis

    Posted by Tammy on Thursday, August 23, 2007 12:25 am ADT

    Good Luck! I took mine back to Lowe's because it just refused to do anything!