Thanks for your prompt response!

I'll definitely check the web site you suggested.

I'm in Seattle, WA.

I have actually one small raised bed which is east facing, but it will get good sun on its south side all summer. Does it narrow my option for Clematis to grow in the bed?

Other site I'm thinking about growing clematis is mostly south facing with some low growing plants in front. So it should give their root good shade.

Thanks!!

Re: growth rates - you hear it applied to all sorts of other plants, but this saying truly applies to clematis: the first year they sleep, the second year they creep and the third year they leap. It takes time for a clematis vine to become fully established and you will most often get your best results both in vigor of growth and production of flowers from year 3 onward.

In the Seattle area, there are few locations where one can't grow clematis. Just avoid areas that receive too much shade - light shade is fine for many types. Also areas that may receive too much root competition from other established trees and shrubs. And understanding the reason behind the coda of shading the roots expands the possibilities - it's not so much as the roots requiring shade as it is not allowing the soil around them to dry out. And shady soil generally holds moisture better than open, sunny soil. But if you water appropriately in summer and mulch the root zone well, you can plant clematis in a full on, full sun southern position without fear.

A couple of other notes on new clematis: prepare a generous planting hole, well-enriched with organic amendments. Plant the vine 3-4 inches below the level it was in the container, generally up to the first set of leaf buds. And prune all types of clematis hard after the first season in the ground. Both the deep planting and the hard pruning will encourage the development of a healthy root system and the production of additional basal shoots, increasing resistance to wilt problems.

As to trellis or support size, research the expected size of the clem of your choice and select a trellis or support accordingly. And even this is not a hard and fast rule but merely a guideline. I've grown larger types of clematis on rather short supports - they just grow to the top, then cascade over, making a waterfall effect that is pretty stunning come flowering time.

I grow Mrs. C in z5 Chicago, and she reaches about 10'+ in height, though it took 3-4 years for her to reach that height. She faces east. In your zone, this will occur much faster, I expect.

Gardengal48,

Thank you for your wonderful planting tips and advises! It's good to know that I should wait at least 3 years for the best flowering clematis. We are planning to live in this house for at least 5-7 years, so I will be definitely able to enjoy my clematises. :)

Michael,

Thanks for your info. It's great to know Mrs. C great so tall and beautiful in your area, and encouraging me to grow it. :) I'll also talk to my local nursery if they have it how well it grows in this area.

All,

I actually got one more question. I've never bought plants online, but does it worth to do that for price and/or variety? Any recommended site?

I went to one of our local nursery yesterday, they didn't have Mrs.C there. I will visit a couple of more nurseries soon, but just in case I couldn't find, I'm considering ordering it online. But a bit worry since I can't really chose the plant by looking at their health, size, ...etc.
Thanks!
-b

Better Seattle area nurseries will have a great selection of clematis for you to choose from but you are still a bit early to find the best assortment. Because of the size of the plants they sell - usually at least full gallons, often 2's and sometimes 5's - they wait to bring them in untill they show substantial vining and perhaps even buds. You can expect to find the biggest selection from late April onward. Most are still only offering winter or very early season selections in now. I've found Sky Nursery in north Seattle and Swanson's in Ballard consistently have large selections.

Personally, unless I am looking for one that is rather exotic or hard to find, I prefer to buy locally rather than online so I can pick the plant myself and get a sufficiently mature size. And you can even find a few of those unusual types if you look hard and often :-)

Gardengal48,

Thank you for your note! I was thinking about going Sky Nursery today, but I guess I better wait for a month. :)

And thanks for your advise on ordering online. I should stop by nursery the end of March, and talk to them about the clematis I would like to find. They might be able to tell me whether they will have it in store in spring.

It's a beautiful day today in Seattle! Can't wait to plan clematis... :)

-b

Personally, unless I am looking for one that is rather exotic or hard to find, I prefer to buy locally rather than online so I can pick the plant myself and get a sufficiently mature size. And you can even find a few of those unusual types if you look hard and often :-)

Agreed! Clems are popular and most nurseries carry nice supplies and they are bigger than mail ordereds.