How to care for Clematis plants all year round?

Clematis require plenty of water and essential nutrients for them to flourish and develop plenty of beautiful healthy flowers. Pruning is also necessary for the annual clematis plants.

Watering clematis

Watering clematis is very essential, especially when they are in their growth stage. Irrigate the clematis plants using a 10 liter watering can after every week in the dry season.

Young clematis in sunny position and those that are being propagated in extremely permeable soil must be watered vigorously. Ensure that the foliage of the clematis does not remain wet after irrigation as this will encourage the development of fungus.

Fertilizing clematis

The ideal fertilizers to give clematis plants are ones which have plenty of nutrients and trace elements. Organic fertilizers such as cow dug, hoof/horn and organic compound fertilizer are most suitable as they fit the above condition. Do not mind the slow speed the fertilizers take to dissolve they enhance soil quality.

Mineral compound fertilizers

  • Mineral fertilizers have the main nutrients known as NPK, N Nitrogen, P Phosphorous and K Potassium.

  • Mix solid fertilizer with soil carefully. It will release nutrients slowly to the plant

  • Liquid fertilizer on the other hand work rapidly but have the disadvantage of being washed away by run off after a heavy storm

  • Mineral compound fertilizer are much more quicker but should not be supplied in access as this will result in the clematis being damaged.

Fertilizing in the spring

Clematis need more nutrients when they are developing shoots in the spring. Thus you must add a higher starter dose of fertilizer in the first month of spring.

Gently loosen the soil surrounding the plant and add in 2 handfuls of nitrogen rich compound fertilizer or 1 handful of mineral compound fertilizer.

Using garden compost or cow dug mulch all around the plant, ensuring that there is a space of at about 10cm in-between the mulch and the shoots.

Fertilizing during the growth period

Liquid fertilizer should be supplied during the phase, following the manufacturer's usage instruction. Avoid adding fertilizer when the clematis is flowering because this leads to a great reduction in the clematis' flowering time.

Climbing aids for clematis

Young clematis shoots require something to assist them to climb. If they do not find any support, the clematis will slide downwards forming a single, muddled ball of foliage and flowers.

Winter protection

Clematis plants need to be given adequate protection from extreme cold in winter. They can be covered with straw or brushwood. Over winter clematis in large containers in a bright room which is frost free.