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Fall, a great
time for planting, is just the ideal time to plant a
clematis. Since it is a long-lived plant and will
need a cool, moist, well-drained, deep-root run, a
little special preparation will ensure the proper site.
Dig the hole about 18 inches deep and as wide.
Place six inches of rich compost in the bottom of the
hole mixed with a handful of bone meal. Then fill
in about an inch over the top with topsoil. You
are now ready to plant your well-watered clematis.
Take your clematis out of the pot and loosen the roots
a bit. Then place it so that about six inches of
stem (the stem should be ripe not green) is below the
soil line. If you are not sure whether the stem is
ripe or green, leave the final filling of the hole until
later in the season. Now gently water your plant
to settle soil around the roots.
Planting a small shrub or groundcover in front of the
clematis will insure a cool root run for it. Next,
securely attach the vine to your trellis or fence.
The following spring, you will want to prune to 10-12'
no matter to which pruning group your clematis belongs.
This will promote root growth and develop a bushier
plant. Keep it well watered and fertilize
regularly. |
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