Clematis: My 1st Clematis - now what?, 0 by JeanneTX

JeanneTX wrote:
Dove...congrats on your first Clematis !! Clematis "Rhapsody" is a pruning group 2 which means light prune ..only to keep in bounds....what you must remember is that Clematis are the "Sleep" , "Creep", then "Leap" vine..so you won't have to worry about it going wild and taking over everything...my Clematis "Rhapsody" is in it's second year here and I pruned it above the first leaf axil this past February..I treat all my Pruning group 2 that way the first season and then let them be!!...You will want to dig a hole that is 4 inches deeper than the pot it is in and a couple inches wider ..at the bottom of the hole put a layer of composted cowmanure..then a layer of compost...then toss in a couple handfuls of Bonemeal...put your clematis in the new hole...tilting it at a slight 45 degree angle towards the rose for it to climb...back fill with dirt..MAKE sure that it is planted 2-4 inches deeper than the pot it was in..clematis love to have their roots stay moist...so do the finger test daily..to make sure it is..ok?...You can put mulch down but Please keep the mulch away from the vine itself so not to create a fungus...Pruning group 2s are notorious for clematis wilt..regardless stay on top of the watering and you will have a wonderful healthy clematis!!..Do not fertilize!!..Then come next January/ February. of '007.....when ever you usually prune your Roses or Forsynthias that is the time to prune your clematis above the first leaf axil..then from then on don't prune...Jeanne
I love my "Rhapsody"..it's such a true blue...