First year with clematis... (clematii??, clems??). I planted them and then put a 1-foot-tall round clay chimney flue over the plant to shade the roots. I put them in a row against a hog panel fence.
Anything I should do to protect them this winter? They are completely exposed on the panel. I could mulch up around the chimney flues? Mulch on top of the plants.
Do they need help the first year (any year) during winter in zone7?
Winterizing clems
I'm also in zone 7. Just apply a heavy 3" mulch for at least a foot in all directions from the clematises. Pine needles, pine mulch, pine bark mulch - almost anything will do. Could you please get a photo so I can understand the flue better? Thanks. If the flue is tall it could deprive them of light - that's my concern.
Did you plant them with a lot of manure and compost and a handful of bone meal? Did you plant them so the top of the roots are 3" below the earth?
Do you have stakes to lead them to the hog panel fence?
Can you remove the flues to mulch and then put the flues back in place (if they're not too tall)?
Did you give them a good drink? They'll need a few good drinks every few days to settle it but please don't drown them.
It is clematises!