Using Clematis in the Garden

Clematis are one of the most colorful vines we have available. Many varieties bloom repeatedly throughout the summer and are still cold hardy unlike many summer blooming vines.

Why aren’t they more used? The big problem is that foliage looks rough during the dry heat we have here. There is a way around that though: Plant them with other vines. I have started mixing them with Climbing Roses, Lavender Trumpet Vines and Hardenbergia (Lilac Vine). This masks the bad foliage and gives an additional color or lengthens the bloom season.

Clematis also prefer a cool root system and by blending them with something heavier it protects the roots.

At the Nursery we have a single-petaled, soft-white Sally Holmes with a purple clematis growing in with it. This it the entrance to the back parking lot.

I prefer the smaller flowered varieties like Etoile de Violette or Alba Luxuriens becaust they tend to be heavier blooming and are more reliable about continuing to bloom during the summer. The large-flowered varieties will also do well though, and are more impressive in the Spring.

In any case it can be a wonderful way to extend the bloom season. If you plant them together at the same time they can be planted fairly close together (About 2’ apart). If you are mixing it with an established vine you need more separation to allow the clematis room to get established.

A technique that I have not used or at least not seen established is allowing a clematis to grow into a tree. By growing into a tree I mean planting it so the tendrils start growing into the branches of a small tree. I started this but moved away before it got established.

If anyone has tried this I would appreciate a note and tell me how it did.