clematis education, please

I don't frequent this forum, but this season the 4 clematis I added in 2004 are growing well enough to make me want to learn more about them.
I may have an understanding of the basics...heavy feeders, shady feet, slow to get started--then watch out, and pruning groups.
I have Rhapsody, Jackmanii, Polish Spirit and Miss Bateman. Seems the first 3 are Group 3 for pruning and the last one is Group 2.

At this point I'd like to know more about moving them....I know I'd like to move Miss Bateman for sure and maybe Rhapsody (this one has the least amount of vines, and was the best of the 4 vines originally, but it may have the least winter coverage.) When is the best time of season to do that? I am assuming it is best to move them to a permanent location while they are still younger vines.

I'd like to know more about trellising and various materials, particularly netting--and what works and doesn't.

Pruning--do you leave all the dead vines in place until spring.....?

I've also just received a potted clematis integrifolia---planting suggestions....location and companions is most appreciated.

If anyone can help out w/ answers or direct me to previous threads w/ this info it would be wonderful....thanks!

Mudgirl!!..Congrats on your clematis!!..
You have it wrong on your pruning groups:
Pruning group 2: "Rhapsody" and "Miss Bateman"
These you will not prune except after they bloom IF you wish to confine them to a certain area..This pruning group blooms on old wood or vines grown from prior seasons..then come Late Fall/Early Spring you will fertilize with Rose Fertilizer or Tomato Fertilizer and at the leaf axil you will see leaf buds appear..after an appropriate time...if you see any vines that aren't doing this they have died possibly from winter kill and you take your finger..follow that vine to the ground and cut level with the soil
Pruning group 3: "Jackmanii" and "Polish Spirit"
These you prune come Late winter/Early Spring one inch above the first or second leaf axil from the ground..they bloom on the new vines produced that season
Integrifolia also known as a Herbaceous Clematis is Pruning Group 3 but come spring you prune to about 6 inches from the ground..new vines will emerge and you cut the dead looking sticks level with the soil
The best time to plant or transplant is early Spring while dormant or fall when the temps have cooled off..always dig wide and deep to make sure you get all the roots...when you replant in the new location..make sure you plant it 2-4 inches deeper than what it was and toss a couple handfuls of Bonemeal to aid in helping the roots get re-established..this will help to ensure the roots stay moist and to created more vines to pop up from the ground..
One misnomer I would like to address.."Keeping their roots shaded" in essence means that the roots like to stay MOIST and planting deeper helps this..always stay ontop of watering..they love to stay moist..you can't go wrong with the finger test in the soil to see!!
Your Integrifolia is a "Non-clinging" clematis..so you can plant with a shrub etc to allow it to ramble through and accent the color!!
As far as Structures for clematis..that can vary ..It's important to realize the MATURE SIZE of a certain vine..they can easily grow from 2-4+feet wide and some 8-12+ feet tall...mesh,Tuteurs,arbors..etc will work..you can also research sizes on "Clematis on the Web"..an awesome clematis online site..shows pictures,history,parentage,pruning group,blooming times..etc..Hope this helps...Jeanne

Hi Jeanne,

Thanks for the great info--it does help! First--about pruning groups--I came up w/ my list from checking 3 sources (DG, Silver Star Vinery, and American Clematis Society) all list Rhapsody as a Group 3 prune.....help me understand how to know what's right.

From what you say about Grp2 pruning, since I plan to move Miss Bateman, seems best to hold off pruning til next spring and minimize the changes it has to endure.

Originally I found info that led me to believe it was best to have something low and 'protective' planted at the base of clematis....now from further reading, it seems good planting and mulch will do the job---thanks for clarifying/confirming this!

The vines on Jackmanii and Polish Spirit have entirely eaten up the what I gave them for trellising this year--next year I will increase it for them.

Good to know about the bonemeal--I always have some on hand for peonies--I'll add clematis to the list of recipients.
For other fertilizing, I've started making Alfalfa Tea....since rose growers use it too.....the clematis may like it as well.....in fact they got some earlier this season. Does that seem good?

Any further ideas for the c.integrifolia......I'm thinking about what would make good companions.......any suggestions or photos people have to share would be wonderful!

Mudgirl...When it comes to pruning..don't pay any attention to those sites..always go to COTW aka Clematis on the Web...Richard and Ian have the most wonderful site and their info is correct!!..You can always find what you are looking for by going to the home page and click on CLEMATIS A-Z and then click on the first letter of the name of the Clematis..for instance on the "R" for Rhapsody..your's is a Fretwell variety
http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=393

One must be careful "What" they plant in front of their clematis..You don't want anything that has an intense root system that will overwhelm and kill off your clematis...Mulching, yet keeping the mulch away from the vines will serve the same purpose!!
If you plan to move Miss Bateman next Late Fall/Early Spring..you can prune her prior to digging her up...that is if she is new this year as I stated before I treat all my Pruning type 2s as 3s the second season in late Fall/early spring and from then on treat them as pruning group 2s

I have my Integrifolia Planted on a small Obelisk but you can plant them with any small shrub...letting them ramble through an accent ..they really are quite cute....here is my Integrifolia "Petite Faucon...Aren't the seedheads neat?...Jeanne

Jeanne,

Gret website--thanks. I'll go w/ Grp2 pruning for those 2--and they are young enough to receive a Grp3 prune for another year. I'll be moving the dianthus away from 'Rhapsody'--the others are heavily mulched. And 'Rhapsody' may even get a new location that has a bit more consistent moisture.

Amazing, but I don't grow a single shrub....but I think I'll give c.integrifolia (can't remember the name...blue something) some collected branches for support and wandering. The seed heads are the BEST--remind me of pulsatilla vulgaris (pasque flower) but more stiff--very Dr Seuss-esque!

Next I must aquire a red. I've seen 'Niobe' bloom and love it. Any other reds you'd suggest....and a lighter pink? I think I may have to do mail order and that may open up my options.

I've very excited to work w/ the clematis and help them toward their full blooming glory--thanks so much!

Mudgirl..another exciting search you can do on COTW like for a red pruning group 3..is click on SEARCH..then in Sepal..Put Red..and in pruning Group put in 3..it will pull them all up..same for Integrifolias..etc...Might I suggest Clematis "Kardinal Wyszynski"


http://www.gardencrossings.com./index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plantDetail/plant_id/54/index.htm
Chad over at GardenCrossings.com is really nice
or might you try Clematis "Julia Correvon"
another wonderful red..both are pruning groups 3 and Dan Over at Brushwood.com has some wonderful Clematis
http://www.gardenvines.com/catalog/clematis-madame-julia-correvon-p-43.html

Ooooh--these are all really good resources! I'll really get into this over winter.....finding a good addtion for spring. Although I bet that type of 'search' will yield some beauties~choosing can be so hard! Kardinal Wyszynski has great color....I'll need more than one red ultimately....

Picked up a paniculata today on discount--not a lot of vines--but what is there is healthy and a good root system....and the $ was right!

Mudgirl, I got this clematis from Garden Crossing this year. It's only been in the ground for two months and is blooming and growing vigorously. They have a good selection to choose from and based on this plant I know I'll be ordering from them again.
Jeanne-I'll be using your tip for COTW also :) thanks!