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BUYING AND PLANTING

It’s a good idea to know where you are going to plant a clematis before buying so you can choose something that suits the aspect and area where it will grow. Generally they are moisture loving plants although they don’t like to be water-logged, and they aren’t particularly fussy about soil type, as long as they can get the required moisture, and lots of nutrients. There's little point in buying a montana that will grow to 25ft if you've only got a small area of fence or wall to cover, and similarly you won't be successful planting a sun-loving evergreen in a shady spot.

When choosing a plant it is best to choose a strong, mature plant with lot of stems coming out of a woody framework at the base. There is nothing wrong with buying a small, young plant but it will require a lot more care until it is established, and if you decide to go for the cheaper option it is best to pot the plant up for a while until it is stronger and less succeptible to slugs and weather damage. By choosing a more mature plant it is more likely to establish and you will enjoy flowers much sooner. Ensure you select a plant that isn’t rootbound or surrounded by weeds and I also look out for vine weevils in the soil.

Your new clematis can be planted pretty much any time of year provided the soil isn’t frozen, but it’s best to plant in late summer or early autumn when the weather isn’t too hot and the plant can get established before winter.

Before planting, soak your new clematis, still in the pot, in a bucket of water for about twenty minutes then remove it from the pot. Prepare the site by digging a hole approximately 18" square and at least 18" deep. Loosen up the soil at the bottom of the hole and dig in some bone meal. Carefully loosen the roots taking care not to damage them, and place the plant in the hole so that the top of the rootball is about 3" below ground level. Backfill with a mixture of compost and garden soil, and if your soil is quite heavy add some sand to this mixture too. Tread the plant into the ground firmly and water well when you are finished.

If your soil dries out quickly or your plant is in a position where it doesn't get much water, place an open ended pipe (approximately 2" in diameter) in the planting hole with one end close to the rootball, and the other end just above ground level. By doing this water can be poured down the pipe to reach the plant's roots where it is most needed in dry conditions.

The base of your clematis should be shaded to keep the roots cool. This can be done with other plants, or a slate propped up, but remember that this will encourage slugs and snails, which are partial to clematis.

PLANTING IN CONTAINERS

There are lots of varieties of clematis suitable for planting in containers. For best results choose a clematis that grows to a maximum of 10ft but more compact varieties are obviously better. Good feeding and regular watering is essential to maintain a healthy plant. You can plant more than one clematis in one container but remember that for ease of maintenance it's best to plant the same pruning groups together. Terracotta, stone, concrete or wooden containers are best as plastic can overheat the roots in summer. A pot measuring at least 18" diameter and 18" deep is best because clematis have quite long roots. The container should have good drainage so as well as holes in the bottom you should add a good layer of gravel or small pebbles, and then fill the pot with good compost (John Innes No.3 for example). Soak the new clematis, still in the original pot, in a bucket of water for about twenty minutes then remove it from the pot. Carefully loosen the roots taking care not to damage them, and place the plant in the new container so that the top of the rootball is about 3" below soil level. The roots of the plant should be shaded by planting something around the clematis, or covering with a stone. Remember though that any protection, particularly stones, will encourage slugs and snails.

If your clematis becomes root bound after a few years you could root prune it. Carefully tip the plant out of the container in its dormant period and gently cut approximately 3" of the root away. Re-pot into fresh compost and add fertilizer to encourage new growth.