NEWS photo Torry Peters WHEN PLANTING a clematis on a fence or pillar, always plant assuming that the vine will want to grow southward tor two to four metres (six to 12 feet). Friday, April 12, 1996 — North Shore News ~ 43 tivating clematis IN MY last article I dealt with the dif- ferent varieties of clematis and the best ones to choose for your garden. Roy Selecting the right jucation, planting properly and carry- ing out the required maintenance are the Next Steps to success- ful cultivation. Most species clematis, in their native habitat. grow on the edge of a for- est clearing. Wind or birds carry the seeds to trees where they are dropped in the damp mulch below the branches. After they germinate in this cool. damp environment, they climb up through the lower branches secking light and pop their heads out into the sun. The flowers form on the cascading vines where there is full sun, If u tree is not available, a clematis will happi- ly scramble over large stumps, dead trees, rock outcroppings or fences. Knowing these basic growing habits af clema- tis helps determine where to plant the vine and achieve the best results. The rule of thumb is “keep their feet in the shade and their head in the sun”. Vines will always grow towards the sun. When planting a clematis on a fence. always plant assuming that the vine will want to grow southward for two to four metres (six to 12 feet). Some training may be required to encourage the vine to follow the fence in an east or west direction. If the fence runs east-west and you live on the north side. the clematis will not produce many flowers on your side but will benefit your neighbors. The same holds tue when planting vines on arbors or pergolas. A clematis vine is planted permanently and should be given rich soil area to grow in. Dig a hole 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) in diameter and the same depth and mix two thirds of the excavated soii with one-third compost or well- rotted manure. A handful of bonemea! and half a ‘handful of lime will provide extra phosphorous and raise the pH of the soit. Place the clematis root ball in the hole so the first leaf node on the vine is 2-3 cm: below the soil level. my CSTE a vonsson Pack the remainder of the soil in the hole and allow for some settling. Add 3 to 4 litres (.6 to 8 gallons) of water to drive out air pockets and set- ue the soi. Once the plant has put on some growth. a layer of mulch or home compost can be added to hold moisture and feed the vine, Clematis vines, unlike other climbers. do not twist around their support like a honeysuckle or put out hold fast roots like an ivy. They have a leaf stem that wraps around anything that is less than about 2 cm in diameter. Hence, down spouts. 2X 4 railings or 4 X 4 posts will not sup- port vines. To reduce the need for a fancy and visible trellis on the house wail, I have found heavy fish-, ing line, weed eater cord or light galvanized wire works very well. Drive a 2 X 4 stake in the ground a few cen- timetres from the house and then screw eye hooks into both the end of the stake at the bottom and the soffit under the eave at the top. Tie the line to the top hook and then tie knots in the line about every 30 cm (12 in.) before attaching it to the bottom hook. The knots will keep the vine from slipping down the line once the plant starts to grow and bloom. The line must not touch the house because the clematis leaf has to wrap around behind the line to hold itseif, though they can be redirected hori- zontally at the top hook along fences or deck rail- ings as tong as it is set out from the surface. The offset also allows air movement between the plant and the. house. If the vine is cut down during the winter, the only thing showing is a single, almost invisible line. And should you wish to paint the house dur- ing the summer when the plant is in full bloom, the upper hook can be removed and the entire vine laid on the ground untij the job is finished. To achieve a more natural look. clematis can be trained to grow up through a small flowering . tree. Use a “Prune Hard™ summer hybrid and plant it one to two metres away from the trunk. Guide the plant up to the lower branches with the aid of a bamboo stake and then let it run up through the branches to the sun. A tree that bloomed in the spring will have a crop of clematis flowers during the mid-summer. in the fall the vine can be cut down and the dead sections pulled out of the tree. ewe Homestead Steer or Mushroom MANURE 5 Bags for SUNSHINE. WATER SAVER POTTING MIX ourpoor —|/2Ke gHOD0 F000 PLANTING lk : 5.” e &. VANCOUVER RHODODENDRON SOCIETY 40 t BAG APPROVED FORMULATION MIX-N-MATCH 55 L BAG ROSES! ROSES! — ROSES! PLA SEE. UE - 49 FLOWER BONE PLUS|| ‘htear 9. LF PAIL 7 | & We Stock a Large Selection of Natural Products Shop Rain or Shine under our Special Open Greenhouse (Behind Zellers) ~ Buy any containers/planters, soil and | plants and we'll plant it up for you for @ 8 (On prareises) = : : Park Royal South