Hello, Maggie. Congratulations on your new Clematis. I just finished planting the three new clematis that I recently picked up. I planted them deeply, cut back the stems, and watered them deeply. Mulching well around the base of the plant is recommended. I have added a link below to Ohio State University's Agricultural Department's Paper on Growing Clematis. It covers everything from Soil Ammendment to planting depth, propagation methods and descriptions of the various species and cultivars, even some tips on plants that will do well planted near the clematis. I hope you enjoy your new clematis, if you are anything like me, you will be hooked!

Happy Growing!
Tracy

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing Clematis Tips from OSU

One thing that I would add is that whether I would plant the clematis directly in the ground now depends on what sized pots the clematis were in and how developed their root systems are. If they are small plants with minimal root systems, I would pot them up into one gallon sized containers and wait for the roots to fill the pots before I planted them. The pots should be left outside until the top growth is nipped back by frost and the plants are fully dormant. Then the pots should be moved to an area where the temps. stay around, to slightly above, freezing for overwintering. The last thing you want to do is have the plants come out of dormancy over the winter and you have to try and keep them living. Now if you had a greenhouse, solarium, or similar structure, you could just place the pots in there and allow the clematis to do what they will over the winter.

Thank you so much for both responses.
Now I can relax and search this forum about more information about then in General.
I can see already that this could be an addiction.
Maggie

Maggie Another great site to view clematis. Also tells you the pruning of each group, list AND pictures over 100 different clematis and had very good general info. I find its a great site to view different one if you have one and you aren't sure of it's name. (process of elimination). Check it out. You will be buying more clematis once you see how easy they are and the results can be breathtaking.
Good luck.

www.chalkhillclematis.com

Hi Agrowingpassion,
You guessed my next question! How to figure out the type and name. I have two hundred roses and now 3 Clematis. If these three survive the winter, I am going to be hooked.

Hi Maggie, and welcome! Yep, these are definitely addictive. I picked up a couple clematis earlier this year based on a nursery worker's recommendation, and have now bought a bunch more! I barely have room on my balcony to walk!

Once you get some blooms, take a look at this site. The search features are fantastic. :0)

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis on the web

You should keep in mind that regardless of what Clematis they are, they should be pruned as type III's the first year or two to get their roots off to a good start.

Type I and II Clematis tend to grow one or two long scraggly stems with few flowers if not pruned as III's at first. This does not make one enjoy them as much as if they were lush and full of hundreds of blooms.