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Where to plant Clematis

NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
in Problem solving
I have very large arch on which I have trained a rambling rose; this is growing very well. I would like to train a Group 3 Clematis as a companion plant on the arch. I'm not sure which side of the arch I should locate this. The side on which the rose is planted is south facing. The opposite side of the arch is shady. I'd be grateful for advice.

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645
    It doesn't really matter which side.  Whichever has more space to dig a decent hole.

    Clematis roots are thick and fleshy and like to be cool and moist but not soggy.   Like roses, they are hungry so need good soil.  Make sure your clematis is well watered in its pot and then plant it several inches deeper to encourage extra shoots to grow.  Water well and give it a good feed every spring.

    Planting it on the shadier side might make the annual spring prune easier when you pull down all the old top growth. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    Many thanks; really helpful.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,966
    I'd be inclined to plant a Group 1 or 2 instead, and put it at the left hand side. It means you'll have something at each side of your arch, and once the clem has grown enough and been tied in where you want it, you don't then have to cut it back, other than a bit of tidying if it gets a bit straggley and wayward. 
    There's a huge selection of 1s and 2s, and they'll give you a longer season of flowering as most start a bit earlier than your rose would. I wouldn't pick a montana, as they get huge, but many of the Group 1s have more interesting flowers, especially the Koreana and Alpina types. They don't require as much watering either, so would be very happy where there are other plants/shrubs growing :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    Many thanks for your reply; it's given me food for thought. I've never really looked into Group 1 Clematis. I have a Montana that's a few years old and yes, it growing like crazy. Will most definitely research Koreana and Alpina varieties. I'm relatively new to gardening...

    I love the quote btw.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,966
    Take a look at some of the specialist clematis sites - Taylor's, Thorncroft and Hawthornes. They have loads of varieties, and you can search using your preferred colour and flowering time etc. Very difficult to only pick one though! I have a macropetela Lemon Beauty which has beautiful nodding heads of lemony flowers. It's only been in a couple of years and has really taken off and has been stunning this year. It grows along with a Group 2 Miss Bateman.



    Did you mean my quote or Obelixx's? Mine is from a Regina Spektor song, The Visit, from my favourite album of her's : Remember Us To Life  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    I do know about Taylors, but will look forward to checking out Hawthornes and Thorncroft.

    The Lemon Beauty lives up to it's name! 

    I have a Fujimusume that's few years old. It has flowered its socks off this year. The colour of the large flowers when they are fully open, is an exquisite, almost Wedgewood Blue. You'll probably know that its height and spread is quite limited though. 

    It was your quote; forgive my ignorance. I don't listen to a lot of music as I have an hearing impairment.

    Thank you again.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,966
    No need to apologise at all. She writes some beautiful lyrics and I'm a big fan, but she's still relatively unknown  :)
    Enjoy browsing those sites, but keep a hold on your purse - it's very hard to resist all the beautiful varieties!  ;)
    Richard Hodson, who owns Hawthornes, is a regular contributor to this forum too, so he often gives advice if he sees queries, and we've not been able to give an answer. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    Just wondering if I'm accessing/navigating the Hawthorne's website effectively; was hoping to be able to see info' about height, spread, aspect, pruning group etc. Perhaps I'm too much of a novice...

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,966
    If there's a particular variety you like the look of, you can also use the Clematis on the Web site which gives lots of info.
    Here's the link
    http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemalphasearch.cfm

    I think I had problems with access on Hawthorne's too at one time. Maybe the site isn't functioning very well at the moment. You click on the Catalogue, and then open whichever type of clematis you're interested in.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    Thank you for a quick response. I'm addicted to researching Clematis!


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