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Planting clematis in open ground
Blooming clematis will not only decorate a summer cottage or garden plot, but also help to disguise a boring wall and an ugly hedge. In addition, this plant is a long-liver: the shrub can grow and bloom for more than 20 years. The main condition for this is the correct planting of clematis in open ground.
What should be the place on the site
Like most perennials, a clematis bush can be transferred to open ground in both spring and autumn. Most often, it is the autumn planting that is recommended, from about the last decade of August to October.
To grow a beautiful clematis, planting a seedling must be carried out correctly.
Clematis seedlings are quite sensitive to external conditions. Therefore, planting clematis in the ground should not begin with digging a hole, but with a careful choice of location and soil preparation. There are four main conditions for good growth and flowering of clematis:
- lots of sunshine. In an open area, clematis will bloom violently, but it is important to be careful here. In the southern regions, it is better to plant a shrub where the site is illuminated by the sun in the morning, otherwise clematis flowers may not withstand the scorching sun and begin to crumble quickly. For the same reason, you cannot place the plant near a solid metal fence – it will be too hot from its surface in summer;
- a place with a good outflow of water. In constant dampness, thin clematis roots can quickly rot. Low-lying areas and places with high groundwater levels are poorly suited. Landing under the roof slope is also harmful for clematis, where it will be flooded with rainwater: the distance between the building wall and the seedling should be at least 0,5-1 meter;
- wind protection. A constant strong wind picks flowers and can damage long vines;
- loose light soil, permeable, with neutral acidity.
The last condition is easiest to fulfill: you can prepare the soil for clematis yourself. How to do it?
Preparing the ground and planting in open ground
For one seedling, you need to dig a hole of about 60 × 60 × 60 cm. A drainage layer, for example expanded clay or fine gravel, and a small layer of sand are poured onto the bottom. About a quarter of the excavated soil needs to be prepared for planting:
- Sort carefully, removing debris, stones and roots.
- Mix equal parts of soil with compost, sand and humus.
- If the soil is acidic, add slaked lime or dolomite flour.
- Apply 100-150 g of mineral complex fertilizer.
In such soil, the flower will take root well and will grow.
The seedling should be freed from packaging, the roots should be carefully separated. After that, we proceed to planting:
- A mound is poured from the prepared soil to the bottom of the hole.
- The plant is set at the top of the mound so as to deepen the seedling by 10-15 cm. The roots are straightened down the slope.
- Sprinkle the clematis with the remaining soil and water well.
- To protect clematis from overheating the soil, the surface of the soil must be covered with mulch. The soil around can be shaded additionally by planting flowering annuals: petunias, marigolds and others.
As we can see, it is not difficult to plant a seedling in open ground. The first year of a seedling’s life on the site is the time when the plant needs special care. To build up the root system, it is recommended that clematis be fertilized with mineral fertilizers at least three times, as well as cut the flowers that the plant produces during this period.
Taking care of an adult plant is much easier. Do not forget to water and prune on time, and clematis will certainly thank you for your care, blooming every year with a waterfall of flowers.
See also: growing clematis