Where should I plant clematis?

[wsmoak]

I got a little wire obelisk and wanted something that would climb on it, so brought home a clematis with pretty purple flowers.

The pot says "sun" but I can't *imagine* they mean full sun in the Georgia summer.

Where do these grow best?

-Wendy

 

[lesa]

I have a huge one (I'll try and post a pic). It gets early morning sun and shade the rest of the day. I think you are right- that full sun, would probably be too much...

 

[calendula]

I would agree that it would need part shade. I am in Wisconsin in zone 4, and I have mine in part shade, and it is doing wonderfully.

 

[curly_kate]

I have two - one gets morning sun, one gets afternoon, and both do beautifully. I am in zone 6, tho, so it might be different here. I have heard that they like sun but like their roots shaded, so mulch or plant something at the base (which is what I have done) would be what I would suggest.

 

[thistlebloom]

Different clematis varieties have different light requirements. Some will bloom in the shade, others need more direct sun. I think you'd be perfectly safe planting it where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade and still get blooms.

 

[chris09]

The old saying is Roots in the Shade and the stems in the Sun.
Plant in a partly to full sun area and mulch heavy.

Chris

 

[momofdrew]

The old saying is Roots in the Shade and the stems in the Sun.
Plant in a partly to full sun area and mulch heavy.

Chris

I have one in full sun but have violets growing at the base to shade the roots

 

[patandchickens]

If they are dark purple flowers it can likely take full sun as long as you give it sufficient water and it isn't too hot i.e. not right against the hot front of a building.

BUT it will do a lot better if you put a large rock, or big paver with mulch on top, over its roots (on the S or S+W sides). This is better even than groundcover or mulch, IME.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[lesa]

Here are a couple pics of mine. Every other year, I remember to scratch a little 10-10-10 fertilizer, at its base. I never regret doing it. This plant was practically stopping traffic this year!!


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[skeeter9]

That's a beautiful clematis, Lesa! Someday mine will be that big . . .

I agree with everyone, some shade at some point in the day is probably best. I know that My clematis appreciates some relief from our relentless, searing sun in the summertime.

I read an interesting article on clematis a few weeks ago. It was written recently and from a reliable source, but I can't find it again. Anyway, it said that the "roots in the shade" rule that everyone goes by is not accurate and that they actually do well with a little warmth on their roots. Seems a little strange that the old addage would be wrong after all these centuries of growing clematis that way, but who knows?????