But Happy Here Even Without
By: Gene Powers
William Scheick, in ‘A Texans Guide to Clematis’, * refers to clematises requiring a winter dormancy period, including snow cover. (*Texas Gardener Magazine, Mar/Apr)
Well, my two in unprotected containers on the back porch and a third one in the ground, unmulched, apparently loved our recent snow and are in bloom this week (4/5/2021).
My favorite is Clematis ‘Pere’, purchased several years ago at Home Depot, and sourced from Pure Beauty Farms, Miami FL (no longer listed by them). It routinely dies to the ground in late summer and re-sprouts from roots in the spring.
Most sources say Clematis like neutral soil and to use limestone, if necessary. I’ve also seen recommendations to put ashes from wood burning fireplace on the soil around Clematis. Definitely do not “acidify”; I encourage it by boosting the soil pH to neutral by adding limestone.
The two in containers — C.’Bourbon’ and C.’Crystal Fountain’ — receive early morning sun, partial ¼ day and shade thereafter. ‘C. Pere, in ground, gets late afternoon sun. My back porch has adjustable pitch vanes which are usually open for part shade but can be closed to provide shelter from rain. The one in the ground gets 1/3 day shade and 2/3 day full sun.
