clematis in containers
pugslovesun
Posts: 298
in Talkback
HI, I'm planting an evergreen clematis in a large glazed container, think I've got size of pot, compost right, I just wanted to know if anyone had any thoughts about lining inside container with bubble wrap, as I live in up North, or would this be too hot in summer an wet in winter. They will be in partial shade. Also planting depth? Level with existing shop bought soil level or slightly lower? thanks for reading.
0
Posts
Clematis roots are thick and fleshy and like deep, cool root runs. It is always recommended that they be planted at least 4" deeper than they were in their pot as this encourages them to form extra shoots and increase flower power. Your pot will need to be at least 60cms wide and deep and preferably deeper if your clematis is to stay there more than a couple of years.
Clematis are gross feeders so you will need a very good compost to which you will have to add extra slow release food for clematis or roses every spring as well as regular watering and occasional liquid feeds throughout the growing season.
Clematis cirrhosa is hardy down to -5C and armandii will cope down to -10C but neither will like having frozen roots so, depending on how cold your winters are, you may get away with just protecting the pot with external bubble wrap well ahead of any cold spell.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Yes I know that clematis are better in ground but there's also lots of stuff saying they can grow in containers if big enough and fed/watered, and the garden centre also said it would be ok as long as above were satisfied. They will be reasonable sheltered and getting afternoon sun. It's for a friend who really wanted something with flowers early on in year growing up a pergola. I must have read everything I could before we bought it!!
Like I said - fine if the container is big enough and they get fed properly. Most composts only have fertiliser for 90 to 100 days. I now start off my new clems in containers for the first year or two and then plant them out. I find they can then cope better with all the competition in the borders and I can move them to shelter if the winter is a bit naughty.
I don't grow any evergreen ones as winters here are definitely too severe so you'll have to use your local knowledge to decide about bubble wrap.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Thanks will give it a go bearing all of above in mind.
I have two clematis in pots, and I did line them with bubblewrap (about 5years ago now)- i was following a tip from the GW magazine at the time. I feed every year with the osmacote slow release feed pellets, and they are doing really well. Mine are the summer flowering, Group 3 varieties though - not tried it with an evergreen.
Ah, that's helpful to know. I planted a bay with bubblewrap inside the pot and it's thriving and that's why I was thinking about same treatment for clematis, it is armandii 'avalanche'. I can't remember where I got this tip from but the bays a couple of years old at least. I live 280 m above sea level so we do get a lot of weather and the friend is down in valley.