I think my first year jackmanii clematis did really well this year. It grew about 24 inches high and produced several beautiful blooms. Now I wonder what to do for it for winter in Vermont, where we could get temps as low as 20 below zero. I know they are perennial here -- other people I know have them. Should I cut it back? Mulch the roots? Any advice would be welcome. thanks.
Genie
I don't own Jack, but have 3-5 others....I would think mulch them , they love it anyways and thats what I do here in Maine. They like the tops in the sun and their roots cool in the summer so im thinking warm in the winter. ^_^
Victor should chime in soon, he owns over 30 varieties and he can tell you for sure.
BTW, Welcome to the Northeast forum Genie!!
Thanks, Pixie!
Hi Genie!
I would certainly mulch. You can cut it in the fall, but it really won't make a difference. Usually, it's done in late winter / early spring. It's very hardy.
Thanks Victor, i wasn't positive on the cutting back part.
Anytime!
Welcome genie. I agree mulch around the roots. I usually cut mine back in early spring around the time the forsythia blooms, just reminds me it's time, when I do the roses, butterfly bushes and russian sage. It is a type three clem so blooms on new growth. I really like your nice heavy trellis.
I do , too! Hard to remember which clems bloom on new wood or old....if it's old wood, & you cut it down, there go the blooms for next year. I don't touch my clems until I see new growth in spring, but I think a mulch is a good idea.
No, you'll still get blooms if you cut down the old growth ones - just fewer. But it will also encourage more stems to grow. That's why I treat 2's as 3's the first couple of years.
Oooh, OK... maybe I can get Ville de Lyon to bloom again....hasn't bloomed in a few years.
I have two that I've had for 7 years and I don't think i've ever seen them bloom. :(
Wow. Cut it back to the ground and try fertilizing next year.
I did this year, got brave and whacked it, it grew nicely, much more growth but still no blooms. I think I need to move them, and amend the soil...maybe they are to close together??
One of them is a red one called 'Allanah' and the other is a white, but I can't remember the name now!
I doubt being close is the problem.
They are only 6" apart now that they've filled out.........
'Allanah' was planted for Josh, he loves red and so does Justin so I planted them against the house so they would crawl up by the window. That hasn't happened! LOL
Here's a good pic of 'Allanah', which is why I chose this one. But now I think I would of had better luck with a different red!!
http://www.gardenphotographer.com/images/website4.jpg
This message was edited Aug 23, 2010 9:51 AM
Pretty.
If they are in full sun it could be too much nitrogen in the fertilizer and soil. They say you should use a slow release fertilizer 5-10-10 for clems in the spring and again after they bloom.
Thank you Patty, they are in full sun from about 1pm to sundown.
Main ingredient is the P for blooms.
I've put lime on mine every year...it's in the sun most of the day, & it used to bloom.....that's the part I don't understand.....Pixie, yours is a gorgeous color!
Thanks, everybody, for all the information, and the welcome. I didnt realize there were different types of clematis. My mom grew them years ago, but I never paid any attention. So I will mulch for the winter and cut it back in the spring. Thank you again.
You're welcome. Here's a great site.
http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/index.cfm
