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The clematis is a special kind of climbing plant. Here you can find out everything you need to know about the beautiful clematis.

Clematis are climbing plants of a special kind and enchant our gardens

With its exotic appearance, the clematis is more popular than ever and is rarely missing in gardens. Whether in a bucket or outdoors - the clematis is one of the most popular ornamental plants and thrives very well with the right care. The buttercup plant (Ranunculaceae) is distributed worldwide, many species are also found in temperate latitudes and therefore grow very well in Germany. We present everything you need to know about clematis, also known as clematis: from buying and planting to the right care.

Clematis: short profile

Clematis is a genus of plants that includes around 300 species and is characterized by its climbing growth habit. With growth heights of up to 12 meters, they are popular as cladding for facades and fences and are valued above all for their striking flowers. Depending on the variety and type, these can be pink, violet and blue in addition to the classic white.

When do clematis actually bloom?

The Clematis genus includes many species that present their flowering splendor at different times. This is beneficial if you want to enjoy flowering all summer long. While some species already flower in spring, other specimens only flower in summer or even into autumn.

You can enjoy the beautiful flowers at different times, depending on the species

Are clematis poisonous?

As beautiful as the clematis is - the climbing plant should always be handled with care. The reason for this is the substance protoanemonin, which leads to irritation and inflammation when it comes into contact with the skin. The prerequisite for this, however, is contact with the plant sap, which escapes, for example, when the clematis is cut. Therefore, always wear gloves when handling the plant and keep children and pets away from the plant. If parts of the plant are eaten or swallowed,a (veterinary) doctor should definitely be contacted.

Buy clematis: recognize a he althy and vital plant

Before planting the magnificent flowering plant, the clematis must first be bought. During the summer months you will find a suitable specimen for your needs in every garden center or nursery. Always pay attention to the following criteria when buying:

  • Type and variety: Decisive for the color and appearance of the flower; Flowering time varies depending on the species.
  • Plant condition: Be sure to only buy he althy seedlings; control the clematis for diseases and pests; these can also hide in the ground.
  • Time: The ideal time to buy a clematis is in spring to early summer; the plant thus has enough time (regardless of whether in the tub or outdoors) to adapt to the new location.
When buying, look for he althy and vigorous plants

Clematis: The most beautiful species and varieties

The variety of clematis species and varieties is huge, so choosing one for your own garden can be difficult. For orientation, we give a brief overview of the most beautiful clematis variations:

Early flowering species

  • Clematis montana: Very popular clematis species, also called mountain clematis; originally from the mountain regions of Asia; early flowering species. Popular varieties: Rubens (pink) and Superba (white).
  • Clematis alpina: alpine clematis; native to Europe; often blue flowers with pointed petals; early flowering species. Popular variety: Ruby (purple-violet).
  • Clematis armandii: Asian species with white to pink flowers; early flowering. Popular variety: Appleblossom (white).
  • Clematis integrifolia: whole-leaf clematis; native to Eurasia; predominantly blue-flowered clematis species; partly bell-shaped flowers; early flowering. Popular varieties: Juuli (blue) and Arabella (blue).
Clematis
The Clematis montana is also called mountain clematis.

Medium to late flowering species

  • Clematis viticella: Also called Italian clematis; often red-purple flowers; relatively hardy; late flowering species (summer to autumn). Popular varieties: Etoile Violette (dark violet), Polish Spirit (dark violet), Rubra (dark red).
  • Clematis vitalba: Clematis; native species; white and fine flowers; hardy; medium to late flowering species.
  • Clematis florida: Native to China despite the name; partly multicolored flower; late flowering.Popular variety: Bicolor (white with a purple center).
  • Hybrids: Particularly popular varieties such as Jackmanii (blue-violet, late flowering), Piilu (pink-violet, early flowering), Hagley Hybrid (pink, late flowering), Dr. Ruppel (pink-marbled, early flowering), Rouge Cardinal (crimson, late flowering).
The Clematis viticella is also known as the Italian clematis.

Planting clematis: location and procedure

With the right technique, clematis can be cultivated almost automatically. But before you can look forward to the expansive flower lease, you must first find a suitable location for the plant to grow. We show what you need to consider and how to proceed when planting.

The right location for clematis

The clematis is considered a light-requiring plant that is in good hands in a sunny location. A partially shaded location is also suitable for the beautiful flowering plant, as long as it does not disappear completely in the shade. An important point with the right lighting conditions is the foot of the clematis, which should definitely be protected from direct sunlight. For this purpose, bark mulch should be generously laid out around the plant. In addition to the light intensity, also make sure that the clematis finds optimal soil conditions. Ideally, there should be permeable and humus-rich soil, but heavy clay soil should be avoided due to waterlogging.

Select the following location for the clematis:

  • Full sun to partial shade
  • Shade at the base of the plant, otherwise bark mulch
  • Porous and humus rich soil
Plant the clematis so that the lower part of the stem is in the ground.

Once the location has been chosen, it's time to plant. However, some special things must be considered when planting the clematis. To do this, do the following:

  1. Dig a planting hole about half a meter deep and wide.
  2. Line the bottom of the planting hole with a drainage layer of gravel and potsherds. These ensure good water drainage and prevent waterlogging.
  3. Insert clematis so that the first part of the stem is buried. The plant can thus form more roots.
  4. Water vigorously after planting and ideally provide a climbing aid.

Propagate clematis: This is how you can propagate clematis yourself

Who once had a lush clematis flower in their owngarden, also likes to buy a second or third plant. A much cheaper method than buying, on the other hand, is to multiply the clematis using different methods. Clematis can be propagated quickly and easily in the following way:

  • Cuttings:
    A very simple method that requires few resources. In the summer, cut a branch about 15 cm long from the clematis and remove the foliage at the bottom. Then plant the cuttings in potting soil so that most of the shoot is underground. Cover the pot with foil to keep the temperature and humidity high. Within a few weeks the cutting should have new roots and you can repot your new clematis.
In summer, cut off a branch about 15 cm long from the clematis and remove the foliage at the bottom
  • Sinks:
    As an alternative to propagating cuttings, a clematis can also be created using so-called sinks. To do this, carefully bend a branch close to the ground towards the ground and fix it there. Defoliate the branch where it is lying and score it lightly with a knife. Covered with a little soil, new roots are formed at this point and the new clematis plant can be separated from the mother plant.

Care for clematis: Water, fertilize and cut

Clematis are generally valued as relatively easy-care companions that thrive without much effort. However, a few care instructions must also be observed for the beautiful climbing plant.

Water Clematis correctly

Watering clematis is not rocket science and takes very little time. Care for the plant as needed, the only important thing is that the soil never dries out completely. On the other hand, you should always make sure that there is no waterlogging due to excessive watering. Basically, the climbing plant is quite frugal outdoors, but you should check the substrate more often in pots.

Care for the plant as needed and avoid waterlogging

Clematis fertilization: suitable fertilizer and procedure

The clematis can also be classified as a frugal plant when it comes to nutrient requirements and the effort involved in fertilizing is limited. The supply of sufficient phosphate, which can be provided via compost, for example, is particularly important for the long-lasting power of the flower. Work a generous amount of compost into the annuallysoil to provide long-lasting nutrients. In addition to this organic fertilization, it makes sense to apply a small amount of lime every two years. As an alternative to compost, you can also use a primarily organic organic fertilizer for the clematis. Our Plantura organic flower fertilizer contains all the important nutrients and also strengthens a he althy and active soil life. You can find more information on fertilizing clematis in our special article.

Clematis when and how to cut?

For lush flowering and he althy growth, pruning the clematis is a proven method that should be repeated every year. The cut usually depends on the flowering time of the respective clematis species and variety and must be made individually. The following applies: Early flowering specimens should always be cut directly after flowering. These include species such as Clematis montana, Clematis alpina or Clematis armandii. This is especially true for hybrids that flower twice It is important to cut the flowers so that another bloom can develop in the course of the summer. In addition to this pruning, however, a fall pruning is common for all clematis. To do this, cut all shoots down to a length of 20 to 30 cm.

Winter clematis: Is the clematis hardy?

With its exotic appearance, many hobby gardeners rightly ask themselves: is the clematis hardy or does it have to be dug up again every year? These questions can only be answered individually for each species, since the different clematis come from different regions of the world.

As soon as the clematis have faded towards winter, you can see the seed pods

The following clematis species can be overwintered outside without any problems and sometimes do not even need additional winter protection until the beginning:

  • Clematis alpina
  • Clematis vitalba
  • Clematis viticella
  • Clematis lanceolata

But winter protection should be provided for all species, especially in the first year, even if they are usually hardy. It is best to cover the plant with straw and leaves and use an air-permeable garden fleece. Clematis species that are not hardy should ideally be cultivated in pots in this country or properly protected from frost in winter.

You can find an overview of hardy and special clematis species and varieties in this article.

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Garden Design