Clematis Planting in Truckee and Tahoe

There are well over 300 species of Clematis that come in many forms from vines and groundcovers to bramblers and shrubs.

The most commonly used varieties are the flowering vines. In European gardens they are often found planted to grow into trees and shrubs. Though MANY Clematis are not cold-hardy or winter-adapted enough to survive in our climate there are quite a few that do thrive here. Interestingly, in most cases, the smaller the flower, the more vigorous the vine.

Some of our favorites are Clematis alpina, the alpine clematis with fast growing vines and nodding spring blooms from white through pink, blue, and purple. Clematis x viticella, the Italian hybrids with very vigorous vines and outward-facing, open, mid-summer blooms in colors similar to the alpine clematis. There are other varieties within the larger blooming varieties that thrive here and we offer them when they are available; ‘Huldine’, ‘Jackmanii’, and more.

Most Clematis bloom best with 5-6 or more hours of sun, a cool shaded root zone, and good air circulation. Give them a trellis, fence, or shrub to climb through.  Alpine Clematis are moderately shade tolerant.

Dig a generous hole 18-24 inches wide and loosen the sides. Mix mature compost, organic fertilizer, and lime through the backfill.
Add to each planting hole
• 2-3 shovels mature compost, mixed through the backfill
• 1/2 cup organic Biosol or vegetable fertilizer
• 1/4-1/2 cup garden lime or oyster shell for calcium
• Optional: 1/4 cup bone meal if not already included
Always mix amendments through the backfill, never as a layer under the roots.

Plant the crown and the lowest 1-2 stem nodes 2 inches or more below finished grade. This helps protect the crown in our low-snow winters and encourages new shoots if top growth is damaged. If planting by a wall or fence, set the rootball about
12 inches out and angle the stems toward the support.  For Clematis planting, the old saying is “head in the sun and feet in the shade” so many gardeners plant a small shrub or perennial to the south side of the Clematis crown to shade it. A rodk or a log can work as well.

Water deeply at planting and keep the root zone evenly moist through the first season. Mulch 2-3 inches deep, but keep mulch a few inches away from the stems. Feed lightly in spring as growth begins and again after the first flush of bloom. Avoid heavy nitrogen or late-summer feeding.

Leave the nursery stake in place until stems are tied to a permanent support.
Shade the root zone with mulch, a flat stone, or a low perennial. After the ground freezes, a very loose handful of pine needles or shredded bark can shade a new crown during snowless cold. Pull it back in spring.

Here is a PDF graphic:

Clematis Planting in Truckee – Tahoe Handout.pdf