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Covering Clematis base and roots?

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  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    Hi Nollie 
    I think the main thing is, whether it’s a myths or not, is that shade will hopefully keep the Clematis in a cool position and lessen the soil drying out. This reduces the need for watering imo. 
    Anything that stops the soil drying out, be it a mulch or a slate is far from a myths but an essential part of Clematis well being and care to promote healthy growth 
    All my Clematis get a good watering to the base of the plant every week or more dependent on the weather, even if a mulch or slate covering is present 

  • StevedaylillyStevedaylilly Posts: 1,102
    edited May 2020
    Hi Marlorena

    Totally agree with that. Any strong heat to the base of the plant, if not mulched or covered means you will be watering Clematis every other day in the Summer months. 
    As gardeners we should give consideration all the environmental issues that constant watering creates 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Having the roots in some shade is very different from covering the base of the plant with tiles/slabs, which is just a recipe for slugs and snails.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    ..it's all about optimum conditions really isn't it.. we could declare anything a myth if we're prepared to accept a lesser result..  I do it all the time with roses.. ''needing 6 hours of full sun'' is often quoted.  Yes, best practice, yet some of mine get about 2 hours if lucky... do I get as many blooms? probably not..

    ..here's a clematis I made earlier, which I've just realised is in quite a bit of sun... this works for me...maybe not you..




    East Anglia, England
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I have an Clematis viticella 'Etoile Violette' (?) in my garden, which is in a very shallow, dry and sunny raised bed against a brick wall - pretty terrible conditions really (there was also a climbing rose planted right next to it, but I removed that). When I had a dig in that area, the clematis roots (a proper mass of orange bootlaces) were concentrated on the underside of a broken slab that was there. This sort of cemented the notion that slabs were helpful in my mind. But I don't really have a slug problem here, and the clematis is already established and vigorous. So, OK... I won't mention it as advice again.

    I'm still gonna do it myself though  ;)

    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • I have continued to follow this thread with great interest, but little input From myself. So thank you all for your opinions.

    Not doing much in the garden today as it’s way too windy. I have been out and taken some pictures though. They’re growing on nicely!


    X triternata triternata rubromarginata


    Texensis princess Kate


    Maximowicziana terniflora


    Happy birthday


    Franziska Marie

    Buds now on two of the three plants, nearly there!
  • Two of the five I should say.
    counting was never One of my strongpoints!
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