Clematis has pretty flowers that come in a wide range of colors, from soft violets to bright purples to soft whites and everything in between.
This flower is a great choice for picky gardeners who want a splash of color that is appealing but not too much.
This versatile plant can be grown in the ground or in containers. In the latter, they make great ornamental flowers that will remain at a fairly manageable size.
One great thing about this plant is that it can climb. Many gardeners train their plants to climb trees, fences, trellises, and other vertical surfaces.
A Master Horticulturist named Colin Skelly says, “If you get the planting and the position right, then the plant should do well and find the support that you have given it.”
“I find that clematis plants usually take care of themselves, and I only need to cut out the odd stem that has gone wrong.”
“It depends to some extent on the space available and the style of garden that you have.
“Clematis works best in bigger, more natural gardens because it fills in spaces more naturally. On the other hand, a more tended, tied-in look works best in smaller, more formal gardens.” ”.
Clematis are gorgeous flowering vines that can add incredible beauty to any garden. With proper training, these vines can be coaxed to climb up posts, poles, arbors, trees and more. Learning the proper way to train clematis to grow vertically on a post or pole will reward you with stunning floral displays.
Why Clematis Needs Proper Support
Clematis vines have a unique climbing mechanism. Rather than twining or clinging to a support, they use their slender leaf stems (petioles) to hook around thin objects and pull themselves upward. This means that to climb properly, clematis requires supports no thicker than about 0.5-0.75 inches in diameter. Their petite petioles simply can’t grasp thicker objects effectively.
When choosing a pole or post for clematis to climb, keep this size limitation in mind. Metal lamp posts wooden fence posts, mailboxes and similar poles are often too wide on their own to support unchecked clematis growth. But with a little creativity, these posts can be outfitted with DIY trellises to create the perfect clematis supports.
Ways to Add Trellising to Posts
There are several inexpensive and easy ways to add thin trellises to existing posts and poles for clematis vines to climb
Fishing Line
One of the simplest options is to attach strong fishing line or similar cord to screw eye hooks inserted into the post. Space the hooks every 12-18 inches vertically and knot the line at regular intervals to create attachment points for the vines. This is a good lightweight option for less vigorous clematis varieties.
Wire Fencing
For sturdier support, wire garden fencing rolled into a cylinder around the post makes an excellent trellis. The rigid mesh provides strength while still being thin enough for grasping petioles. Cut a section of fencing a few inches larger than the post circumference and use tape or wire to secure it in place.
Invisible Netting
Invisible netting, also called trellis netting, is another easily attached clematis support option. Cut a section larger than the post, wrap it around and staple the edges together at the back. The mesh gives great traction for climbing vines.
Hooks and Twine
For a fully customizable trellis screw eye hooks inserted every 4-6 feet vertically into a wooden post allow you to run sections of twine cord or wire through them in whatever pattern desired. This can support even very large clematis varieties.
Growing Clematis on a New Post
When installing a new post or pole specifically as a clematis support, choose one no more than 3/4 inch in diameter. Ideal materials are bamboo, thin metal rods, wood dowels, or pipes. Set the post 2 feet in loose, fertile soil amended with compost.
Plant young clematis vines 1-2 feet from the base of the post and provide a bridge between with twine around short stakes. Angle the vine toward the post so it can latch on as it grows. Water regularly for the best growth.
Training Techniques
Clematis needs some help getting started climbing its support. Use these tips for training clematis vines:
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Guide stems gently onto supports and secure with plant clips or soft ties initially.
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As new growth appears, tuck and weave it into the support and existing vines.
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Keep an eye out for wayward stems and loosely attach them to trellising to encourage climbing.
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For the fullest look, plant 2 vines on either side of a post or pole.
Ongoing Care
Proper care once clematis is established includes:
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Water 1 inch per week. Add mulch to retain moisture.
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Prune each spring according to the variety’s pruning group.
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Fertilize in early spring with compost or balanced organic fertilizer.
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Check supports and trellising for needed repairs each spring.
Achieve Vertical Grandeur
With the proper set up and training, clematis vines can be transformed into glorious vertical accents in any garden. Their dazzling flowers will generously cover your posts, poles and trellises with cascades of color. Just give them thin supports to cling to and these vines will readily clamber skyward!
Training On A Wall Or Fence
You need a different way to keep your clematis attached if you’re training it to grow up a wall or fence instead of a support structure like a trellis.
We suggest laying out lengths of wire horizontally and running them parallel to the ground at different heights based on how big the plant will get.
As the owner of the plant nursery Thorncroft Clematis, Peter Skeggs-Gooch
“Instead of trellis, I think you should use strong vine eyes and wire because it looks better with the garden and, once the clematis covers the wires, you won’t even be able to tell it’s there, making it look very natural.”
“Plus, if it’s made of good materials, this kind of support doesn’t need much upkeep, so you can spend more time enjoying your garden and flowers!”
You’ll attach the clematis to these wires, and they’ll provide enough support to keep it growing well.
The steps are simple:
- Level off the ground about a third of the way up you want the plant to grow.
- Use a pen to make a mark on the wall or fence.
- Drill in here and insert a hook.
- Connect your wire to the hook with a wire clip. Before you begin, make sure to cut your wire to the length you want.
- Mark the end of the wire and then run the wire across the length of it. If you’re not sure, use a spirit level to make sure it’s straight.
- Make another hole and connect the wire with a turnbuckle.
- Tighten the wire so that it’s just about taut.
- Do the same thing with a wire that is 12 inches above the first one.
Training On A Trellis
When you have a trellis, the spaces between the different pieces of wood make it much easier to tie your clematis.
We definitely recommend this method if you’re not looking to use too many power tools!
You should plant your clematis first, and the roots should be about 6 inches from the base of the support.
Fraser Wescott, owner of Walled Garden Nursery, a clematis-only nursery, says, “When a clematis is young, the stems aren’t as thick and strong, so they need good support low down or they can get damaged.”
This may seem like a long way away, but it gives the plant room to grow, and it’s much better than planting too close to the wall and stopping growth!
Pick a clematis type that will look good in your garden and fit the conditions it will grow in.
With your trellis, all you have to do is use twine, gardening wire, or something similar to attach branches to it.
Ken Black, owner of Ken Black Clematis, a specialized plant nursery, says, “The wind is probably clematis’ worst enemy, so it’s very important to make sure that the growths are secured so that they don’t snap.”
When you tie it on, make sure there is plenty of room for the branch to grow. Tight knots will stop the branch from growing and will eventually kill it!
“Instead of plastic ties or wire that I would have to take off first, I tie the clematis to a trellis with string. That way, when I prune the plant, I can just cut the string and throw the whole thing in the trash,” says Fiona Woolfenden from the International Clematis Society.
“Using string saves me time later.
“I use a trellis with holes that are 4 inches (10 cm) apart. It looks nice when the clematis are pruned in the winter.”
“Most of my clematis are late-flowering types that I hard-prune every year. This way, I can quickly weave some stems in between the trellis’s wood.” ”.
When the clematis reaches the right length, gently pull it upwards and attach a branch.
This will encourage new growth to keep going up, and you can do it again by attaching new growth higher up the trellis as it gets big enough.
How to Grow, Train & Prune Clematis//Get MORE FLOWERS Twice in the SAME YEAR!
FAQ
How to get a clematis to climb a post?
How to train vine up a post?
How do you support clematis?
How do you train Clematis?
You might wish to train clematis up your mailbox post, existing fencing, or a pergola. Here are a few tried and true ideas. Thin galvanized wire or heavy fishing line with a 15- to 20-pound test weight can be used to assist climbing vines. Photo by Lorna Kring. Insert small screw eye hooks every four feet on two, three, or four sides of the post.
How do you keep clematis from slipping down a pole?
Attach the fishing line so that it runs up the pole. If you use a fishing line to provide support for clematis, knot the line every foot (31 cm.) or so. These knots prevent the vine from slipping down the line. Fishing line also works for clematis growing on trees. Trees are a special case when it comes to organizing support for clematis.
How do you attach Clematis to a trellis?
Wooden posts offer the greatest versatility for attaching trellis materials. You might wish to train clematis up your mailbox post, existing fencing, or a pergola. Here are a few tried and true ideas. Thin galvanized wire or heavy fishing line with a 15- to 20-pound test weight can be used to assist climbing vines. Photo by Lorna Kring.
How do you grow Clematis on a pole?
If your plans include growing clematis on a pole or similar structure, consider using a thick fishing line to provide support for the plant. The plant usually is sold with a small pole holding up the vine. Leave that pole in place as you position the plant in the soil near the base of the pole. Attach the fishing line so that it runs up the pole.
How do Clematis climb?
Some vines climb by wrapping tightly twining stems or aerial roots around supports. Not clematis. If you want to know how to train a clematis to climb, first understand their climbing mechanism. Clematis manage to climb trees and poles by twining their leaf petiole around appropriately sized support structures.
How do you attach a Clematis to a fence?
You’ll attach the clematis to these wires, and they’ll provide enough support to keep it growing well. The steps are simple: Measure up from the ground to about a third of the eventual desired height of the plant. Make a mark on the fence or wall with a pen. Drill in here and insert a hook. Use a wire clip to attach your wire to the hook.