skip to main content

Clematis to grow up a tree?

8 years ago

I'd like to get an autumn clematis and was wondering if it would work growing up a flowering crab or is that a bad idea? Will it get overly tangled in the branches? What's the pruning requirements for the clematis? Is it a lot of work when in a tree? Would I need to use a cage around the trunk?

Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
Species clematis, like SAC, are often large and vigorous vines and can grow into trees relatively easily. In my area you see C. armandii, C. montana, tangutica and SAC growing well into trees, simply because they ARE so big and vigorous. And many type 3 clems will work almost as well.

Tangutica and SAC are hard prune vines and yes, the vines DO get tangled with the tree branches, but are not overly difficult to remove at pruning time. Be sure to do your pruning before the tree is budded out or you can possible damage the new growth. And I would take pains to match the tree with the vine so that the tree is large enough and hardy enough to stand up to a mature vine. And that will differ with the type of clem you select.

I have never had the need to use a support system (other than the tree) when doing this but it depends on the clem and how old it is when planted. Some temporary caging or supporting may be necessary but once established in the tree, this is no longer necessary.

You might also want to know that SAC, Clematis terniflora (or incorrectly, C. paniculata), is considered an invasive species in a large part of the country. You might want to check with your state's invasive plants council before planting
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
If this is an established tree, you will want to plant the clematis a ways from the trunk to reduce root competition, and if it is a newly planted tree, you will also want to wait a couple of years for the roots to get well established before letting the clematis climb it since the tree-clematis can make for a big sail when it's windy. To get a hard prune clematis into a woody plant like a large shrub or tree, I often give it something such as a metal obelisk, a piece of rebar or a bamboo pole to allow the clematis to easily get up into the branches.
Related Discussions
grow clematis on black walnut tree?
Q
Comments (10)
Happy clematis in my experience are clematis with their roots plunged further down than I would want to dig. They root very deeply. Also, even though many clematis are pretty hardy, the problem with planters is one of lack of moisture or flooding and freezing in the winter. If you're really stuck on the idea of having a clematis growing into your walnut tree, the obvious candidate would be Sweet Autumn Clematis. It could be planted outside of the dripline of the tree and if trellised up until it could reach the branches of the walnut, then it would likely spread itself through the tree pretty effectively. The biggest problems you would face then is the clematis would compete with the tree for available light and each winter you would want to remove the previous year's growth (or your flowers will all end up at the very top of the walnut in just a couple years). ~Chills
...See More
Can you grow Clematis up into lavatera?
Q
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 More
Sweet Autumn Clematis Questions
Q
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 More
My clematis has one vine growing up...
Q
Comments (3)
Thank you for the responses! I noticed last night that the one long vine seems to have the beginings of a bud on the end. Yeay! I also deadheaded the flowers.....so we'll see what happens with those. Thanks again!
...See More
Max G. (Zone 3 AB)
7 years ago
I'm in my area there are some wild spruce trees along freeways that have clematis growing up them. Don't know if they're native or invasive here, but beautiful either way

Related Stories

PLANTING IDEAS Great Garden Combo: Rose + Clematis for Small-Space Impact

We all need somebody to lean on. And when a rose supports a climbing vine, the results can totally transform a small garden

GARDENING GUIDES Grow Your Own Privacy: How to Screen With Plants and Trees

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Use living walls to lower your home and garden's exposure while boosting natural beauty in your landscape

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Clematis Virginiana

By Pollination Press LLC

Devil’s darning needles, a vigorous vine native to eastern North America, likes partial shade and many types of soils

GREEN BUILDING Green Grows Up: The Many Faces of Today's LEED Homes

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

While LEED-certified homes have some common characteristics, the rest is up to your imagination

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Little Cottage Grows Up

By Sheila Schmitz

Warm San Francisco Remodel Celebrates Past and Present

FURNITURE The Coffee Table Grows Up

By Tiffany Carboni

These statement pieces reinvent the coffee table and can transform the living room

BEFORE AND AFTERS My Houzz: A 1950s Bungalow Grows Up and Greens Out

By Mary Prince Photography

Beauty and energy efficiency go hand in hand in this expanded and renovated Massachusetts forest home

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

EDIBLE GARDENS Grow Plum Hybrids for Your Favorite Fruit Flavors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plums are cozying up with apricots, peaches and even cherries — here’s how to grow these hybrids for the best aspects of each

FRUIT TREES How to Grow Your Own Persimmons

By Marianne Lipanovich

Sturdy and easy to care for, these trees offer bright fruit through winter — and keeping them in bounds is no sweat

Sponsored

J.S. Brown & Co.

77 Reviews

Columbus Leading Full Service Design Build Firm

More Discussions

Could this be Jackmanii Superba?

11

Atragenes, Alpinas for the south?

11

Anyone grow Brother Stefan?

6

Recommend a clematis for zone 6b please

7

Pruning of type 2?

1