How many Clematis per foot?

16 years ago

I'm planning to plant some Clematis along the back south-facing fence to replace an old rose we just removed. I prepared 3 holes along the 7-foot trellis -- the big hole in the middle left by the rose, and a hole at each end. I'm wondering, if I add 2 Clematis per hole, will that be too many (6 in all) once they reach maturity? Will it just be a big tangled unmanageable mess? I'm planning to buy all group 3 Clematis.

Thanks,

Jen

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Comments (7)

nckvilledudes
16 years ago
It really just depends on what you like Jenn. I have a ten foot wood and fencing trellis that houses 10 clematis so that is one clematis per foot of trellis. The clematis will all grow together and intermingle so if you want definite space between the clematis and them to remain separated, then I wouldn't suggest planting that many that close together. If you like that wild and wooly look with everything intermingling, then go for it. Just remember that closely planted clematis will require extra water and fertilizer.
carolfm
16 years ago
I like a riot of color and clematis all mixed together so I would plant them as Miquel does but really, it is just a matter of personal preference. If you plant all of the same type, pruning shouldn't be an issue.

Carol
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jenn
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much for your answers. After posting my question, Hubby asked if Clematis is really want I want to put in this highly visible spot. He asked because he sees the other 3 Clematis (group 3) in another area of the yard and how they are brown (but not yet cut back and starting to produce buds), and wondered if we want to look at that much of it in such a large spot all winter long....
nckvilledudes
16 years ago
Jenn, don't know what gardening zone you live in and when the last frost date is in your area. All my clematis here in NC are cut back in late December so I don't look at brown foliage caused by frost much of the season at all. Fill us in on your gardening zone (Sunset zone if you know). You may be staring at something you don't have to.
jeanne_texas
16 years ago
Jenn..Might I suggest a climbing rose to "Esplanier" along that area so when the clematis are not looking their best you will still have roses?..I would choose pruning group 3's as they can be cut down and yank the old vines off your roses ...I am assuming you removed a rose "bush"?..of course if you don't want a rose then this is a worthless suggestion...Jeanne
jenn
Original Author
16 years ago
nckvilledudes: I live in southern CA and our last frost date (in the years we do get frost which is about every other year or so) is usually late February. But this spot is protected from the north and I have never seen frost there, only in the open spots in the yard that do not have a fence right behind them on the north side.

Jeanne: I'm considering a climbing rose for that purpose now and I've asked for suggestions in the Roses forum. All the Clematis I'm planning to buy are group 3. I removed a climber (short bloom in spring only, then sporatic to nothing for the rest of the year).
nckvilledudes
16 years ago
Jenn, I figured that you probably lived in a warmer zone by your zonal info. The one advantage to living in a colder zone where it gets cold by December is that you can trim your clematis back much sooner than in the warmer zones. My herbaceous clematis were cut back right after Thanksgiving and all the rest the first part of January. As a result, I don't have to look at brown vines all winter long. In my area, there is more risk in cutting them back in the early spring since we can have warm spells in the very early spring that might trick the clematis to resprouting too soon. For the past three years, cutting mine back in late December/early January allow me to remove the vines without risk of encouraging early regrowth.