Clematis growing up a tree?
grullablue
14 years ago
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kentstar
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Can you grow Clematis up into lavatera?
Comments (2)You certainly could, although in my climate it is recommended that tree mallow be pruned back hard each year in early spring. While the plant grows huge (and very rapidly at that), the stems really don't ripen into a real woody framework so the plant can be quite floppy and stems liable to break or split. I would think this is even more likely to happen if it was carrying the weight of a vine. In a hotter climate like yours, this may not be the case. btw, Lavatera is not considered a very long lived plant - about 5 years or so, so that might be another issue to keep in mind....See MoreSweet Autumn Clematis Questions
Comments (1)The term clematis paniculata as used by Bluestone is incorrect. Sweet autumn clematis is clematis terniflora. Clematis paniculata is an evergreen clematis native to New Zealand. See link below. Clematis terniflora can be found at most nurseries and is something that if I could purchase locally, would do so over ordering mail order. Not all clones of terniflora are scented so it is better to purchase a plant in bloom to make sure that it will be fragrant. Terniflora is very vigorous in my garden and is a mad reseeder. Some people consider it to be a weed and invasive due to its seedy nature, while in other people's gardens it is not as seedy. Whether it would do well under maple trees is unproven since maples are notorious for sucking moisture and nutrients out of the soil. The shade they cast may also hinder the plant's ability to thrive. My best suggestion is to see if you can purchase an inexpensive plant and see how it does. You will have to provide the plant some support to get it to climb into the limbs of the tree since the plant won't be able to climb the trunk of an older established tree due to the diameter of the trunk. Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis paniculata...See MoreClematis growing on trees
Comments (6)A clematis won't climb an oak trunk without help from another support. Clematis climb by winding their leaf stems (petioles) around narrow support structures, so you would need wires or netting or a narrow-barred trellis for the clematis to climb. I don't know where you are, but the clematis I can grow won't get as tall as the lowest limbs on my oaks, so pruning wouldn't be a problem. I do grow clematis into shrubs like lilacs and Hydrangea paniculata which have narrow twigs and stiff branches that the clematis can use to climb. Some of the Clematis montana are tall enough to grow up into taller trees (20-30 ft.), but I am not sure it they will reach high enough to grow into a large oak's crown. They need little to no pruning, though, so it still wouldn't be an issue. They are only hardy down to zone 6 or so. If you want a vine that will actually climb the oak's trunk, look into ones that grow with adventitious roots or little suction cup devices like Boston Ivy, Virginia Creeper, Schizophragma hydrangeoides, or Hydrangea petiolaris....See MoreHow to get Clematis to grow up lamp post?
Comments (7)You might want to consider the pruning requirements of the specific clematis. I have a Jackmanii clematis growing up my porch post and it's a group 3 for pruning. Since I have to cut it down to 12 inches in the late winter/early spring I have it growing up twine. I figure the support only needs to last the season and cutting it down is that much easier without having the clematis all tangled around something more permanent. And most of the more permanent solutions can be a little unsightly. If it's a group 1 which requires minimal pruning, I'd go with something more substantial, etc. Just a few thoughts. Lisa...See Morealina_1
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