Haven't got the base covered - it's north facing and doesn't get direct sun there. Also sure Richard H said this is one of those 'urban myths' (might be be mixing this up though)?
Cant dig the manure out - it was well rotted and mixed in with the soil, unless I dig the whole lot up and replant it - is that wise?
Agree with the trial and error - most things in my garden have been planted this year and I'm definitely making a lot of errors!
Time for Plan B, Andy, I reckon the only way forward now is to chop the whole plant down to ground level and keep watering hard with rainwater. New shoots should soon re-appear hopefully. Fingers crossed and good luck.
Why do people keep saying that clematis need their roots cool ? I have clematis in my collection from seed collected in the wild from Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama.
A lot of deciduous Clematis species originate from cool regions in China and Japan. So, these species and their hybrids and cultivars want cool soil at their roots. In these cooler regions the plant grows mainly in forests and Woods and their roots are protected from direct sunlight.
That's what we should try to achieve here, in our gardens, plant a shrub that will provide cool shade for Clematis' roots rather than to protect with stones that will make the spot only warmer.
The old rule that tells one to shade clematis roots to keep them cool is misunderstood by most gardeners not familiar with clematis. Clematis are water lovers and will grow best if the roots are kept moist. Shaded areas are usually moist, but plants that compete with the clematis for moisture and provide shade are not recommended. The best way to keep your clematis roots moist is a heavy layer of organic mulch that will keep the soil moist and protect the soil from the drying sun. Clematis roots will eventually reach down into the ground up to four feet in search of water. It is best to water your new clematis often until it matures in about three to four years.
Varieties to Try to Grow in Shade: All the alpinas and macropetalas Barbara Jackman Bees Jubilee Comtesse de Bouchaud Dawn Dr. Ruppel Fairy Queen General Sikorski Guernsey Cream Hagley Hybrid H.F. Young integrifolia Jackmanii (not J. Rubra or Alba) Lanuginosa Candida Lincoln Star Margaret Hunt Miss Bateman montana rubens Moonlight Mrs. Cholmondeley Nelly Moser Niobe Perle d'Azur Silver Moon Snow Queen The President Twilight Victoria Wada's Primrose Will Goodwin William Kennett
What I have been trying to say, and this is backed up by the article from international Clematis Society, is that the reason that clematis like their roots in shade is for water content, nothing to do with temperature. Not ' they like their roots cool !! '
The late Dr. John Howells, in his book ' Trouble free clematis, the viticellas ', says that a mature clematis needs 4 gallons of water per week, In hot conditions 1 gallon per day.
I asked the late Vince Denny, at his clematis nursery in nearby Preston many years ago, what did he feed his clematis with ? He pointed to the tap on the wall.
I have the National Collection of Clematis Viticellas in the garden here, do I water them ? Yes. Do I feed them ? No.
Clematis growing in large terracotta pots I have plenty, these I feed with 3.1.6 soluble fertiliser.
I have a clematis nursery, they are my bread and butter, it is best to share knowledge about clematis culture, we all learn daily.
Excellent post, Richard. Concise and to the point. Thank you.
Question: I am growing some clems in terracotta pots on a west facing wall. So far so good. I decided I would plant lobelia in them to trail down and keep the pot from drying out, not cool, but to help it not dry out so fast. Good idea or bad idea? It also looks kinda nice.
Based in Sussex, I garden to encourage as many birds to my garden as possible.
Posts
So'm I and I'm doing ok!
Is it me or is this not looking great? Seems to have got worse...?
Haven't got the base covered - it's north facing and doesn't get direct sun there. Also sure Richard H said this is one of those 'urban myths' (might be be mixing this up though)?
Cant dig the manure out - it was well rotted and mixed in with the soil, unless I dig the whole lot up and replant it - is that wise?
Agree with the trial and error - most things in my garden have been planted this year and I'm definitely making a lot of errors!
Time for Plan B, Andy, I reckon the only way forward now is to chop the whole plant down to ground level and keep watering hard with rainwater. New shoots should soon re-appear hopefully. Fingers crossed and good luck.
Why do people keep saying that clematis need their roots cool ? I have clematis in my collection from seed collected in the wild from Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama.
A lot of deciduous Clematis species originate from cool regions in China and Japan. So, these species and their hybrids and cultivars want cool soil at their roots. In these cooler regions the plant grows mainly in forests and Woods and their roots are protected from direct sunlight.
That's what we should try to achieve here, in our gardens, plant a shrub that will provide cool shade for Clematis' roots rather than to protect with stones that will make the spot only warmer.
Will cut it back tonight - thanks for the advice Richard.
from International Clematis Society...........
Growing Clematis in Shade
The old rule that tells one to shade clematis roots to keep them cool is misunderstood by most gardeners not familiar with clematis. Clematis are water lovers and will grow best if the roots are kept moist. Shaded areas are usually moist, but plants that compete with the clematis for moisture and provide shade are not recommended. The best way to keep your clematis roots moist is a heavy layer of organic mulch that will keep the soil moist and protect the soil from the drying sun. Clematis roots will eventually reach down into the ground up to four feet in search of water. It is best to water your new clematis often until it matures in about three to four years.
Varieties to Try to Grow in Shade: All the alpinas and macropetalas
Barbara Jackman
Bees Jubilee
Comtesse de Bouchaud
Dawn
Dr. Ruppel
Fairy Queen
General Sikorski
Guernsey Cream
Hagley Hybrid
H.F. Young
integrifolia
Jackmanii (not J. Rubra or Alba)
Lanuginosa Candida
Lincoln Star
Margaret Hunt
Miss Bateman
montana rubens
Moonlight
Mrs. Cholmondeley
Nelly Moser
Niobe
Perle d'Azur
Silver Moon
Snow Queen
The President
Twilight
Victoria
Wada's Primrose
Will Goodwin
William Kennett
What I have been trying to say, and this is backed up by the article from international Clematis Society, is that the reason that clematis like their roots in shade is for water content, nothing to do with temperature. Not ' they like their roots cool !! '
The late Dr. John Howells, in his book ' Trouble free clematis, the viticellas ', says that a mature clematis needs 4 gallons of water per week, In hot conditions 1 gallon per day.
I asked the late Vince Denny, at his clematis nursery in nearby Preston many years ago, what did he feed his clematis with ? He pointed to the tap on the wall.
I have the National Collection of Clematis Viticellas in the garden here, do I water them ? Yes. Do I feed them ? No.
Clematis growing in large terracotta pots I have plenty, these I feed with 3.1.6 soluble fertiliser.
I have a clematis nursery, they are my bread and butter, it is best to share knowledge about clematis culture, we all learn daily.
Excellent post, Richard. Concise and to the point. Thank you.
Question: I am growing some clems in terracotta pots on a west facing wall. So far so good. I decided I would plant lobelia in them to trail down and keep the pot from drying out, not cool, but to help it not dry out so fast. Good idea or bad idea? It also looks kinda nice.