| Common Name |
Clematis |
| Genus |
Clematis |
| Species |
C. integrifolia |
| Family |
Ranunculaceae |
|
Life Cycle |
Woody climbing vine/ Herbaceous Perennial |
|
Format
|
Bare Roots |
| Plug Care |
Upon receiving bare roots, transplant them immediately into well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Water thoroughly after planting to establish roots, and maintain consistent moisture during the establishment phase. These can be planted so that the eyes/growth points that should be visible upon arrival sit right below the surface. You want the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the stem) to be about 2" below the surface of the soil. If you are unable to plant right away, store them in a cooler, ideally in peat moss in a plastic bag to hold in humidity. While they are dormant and protected by soil, they will be frost hardy and can withstand light frosts. They will resume growth when the conditions are right. |
| Netting / Staking |
The "Magical" varieties we are currently offering are non-climbing; they have leaves that lack the tendril-like stems that the vine would traditionally use to cling to a trellis as they grow upwards. No tendrils makes for much easier harvesting, however this means you must provide the plants with support if you want long, straight stems. Without support these plants will sprawl along the ground and on neighboring plants, leading to curved and tangled stems. Using multiple layers of Hortonova netting (Kolster recommends 3) to help keep growth straight and upright. These plants will grow to approximately 30 inches in height in the first year - the perfect, manageable height. If planted above 1500m elevation, stems might be shorter. |
| Temperature Range |
Clematis are typically hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. These cut flower types from Kolster have not been trialed below zone 7 but should theoretically be as hardy as any other clematis. |
| Spacing |
Kolster recommends (approximately) 12"x12" spacing (12/square meter), planted in a grid pattern for high intensity planting. To promote adequate air circulation and reduce disease risk, you could consider planting 12-18 inches apart. This spacing also facilitates easier access for harvesting. |
| Soil Preference |
Clematis prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Incorporate compost or aged manure to enhance soil fertility and structure. You may have heard of the old saying 'feet in the shade, head in the sun' for Clematis - they do like cooler, rich, moist soil, so use a nice layer of mulch as insulation from the hot sun. This step however, is not completely necessary, as the foliage from the growing plants will shade the roots. These are not overly heavy feeders, but plan to fertilize a few times through the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. The best times to fertilize are in the spring, as new growth resumes, and after any hard prune when the plants are expected to provide another flush of stems and flowers. |
| Day Length |
Daylength neutral. Clematis thrives in full sun. For optimal flowering and stem quality, ensure plants receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. |
| Pinching |
Pinching young plants can encourage bushier growth and more flowering stems. Once plants reach 5-6 inches in height, pinch back the growing tips to 2 pairs of leaves to promote lateral branching. Pinch a second and third time, to encourage more side shoots and once a sizable plant has developed you can let the stems grow. Plants left un-pinched will only produce 2-3 shorter stems and will be much less productive in the first year. |
| When to Plant |
Plant bare roots in spring upon arrival. Because they are still dormant, they will be hardy to light spring frosts. Tender, fresh active growth is less hardy to frosts. In warmer climates, summer and fall planting of Clematis is also feasible, allowing roots to establish before winter. However, we are only shipping our specialty Clematis from Kolster in the spring. |
| Harvesting |
Harvest stems when buds are fully colored and petals are lifting but not yet fully open, typically in the morning when plants are turgid. Use sharp, clean shears to cut stems at the desired length, just above a leaf node to encourage regrowth. For local markets, flowers can be a little more open without sacrificing vase life - there is less threat of damage during transport with local use. If shipping cut blooms, harvest when buds are tighter. To encourage 2-3 flushes of flower per year, cut the entire plant to an inch or two from the ground. This will trigger the plant to send out another flush of stems. |
| Post Harvest Care |
Immediately place cut stems in clean, cool or tepid water - floral preservatives such as Chrysal clear may enhance vase life. Allow stems to hydrate in a cool, dark environment for several hours before arranging. Regularly change the water and recut stems to maintain freshness; expect a vase life of up to two weeks. Note that Clematis do not perform well in floral foams such as Oasis. (We shouldn't be using floral foams anyways!) |
| Diseases / Insects |
Monitor for common pests such as aphids, slugs, and spider mites. While Clematis are typically pest-free, fungal diseases like powdery mildew and clematis wilt can occur; ensure proper spacing and air circulation to mitigate these issues. Employ organic or chemical controls as necessary. |
| Bailey's Notes |
Traditional Clematis often have decorative seed pods when the flower period has come to an end - these can also be used for arrangements. We are unsure what the "Magical" series seed pods look like. As mentioned, cutting the plants back to the ground after the first and subsequent harvests will encourage the flowers to send up additional flushes. These varieties are brand new to market and have not been tested extensively outside the Netherlands; please report back with you findings so we can update this grow guide with well-tailored information! |
| Resources |
Clematis as Cut Flowers
Kolster Clematis Cultivation
|
