skip to main content

Buying a clematis plants now (Fall) or Later (Spring)?

GP (Z9a - Houston, TX)

6 years ago

I am planning to buy set of small clematis plants (2x2 pot) now (Fall) or do I have to wait for next year spring to buy? Here in Northwest Houston, over the winter we get 2-3 time freeze and regular cold weather but no snow. I generally save most of my plants in garage, most of the time dark.

I also do not know the clematis is available online during spring. Please give your suggestion.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
6 years ago
A 2x2 pot doesn't leave much room for roots, so these sound like barely rooted cuttings. I wouldn't expect them to have enough reserves to survive the winter in a dark spot like your garage.

If you have an empty garden spot where you can plant them, that is one possibility, and they can continue on growing until it gets really cold in your area. Or a cold frame would work for them or a grow light set up indoors or in the garage. Regardless, you will need to replant them into larger pots if they won't be in the ground.

Or wait until next spring. I don't know what vendor you are using, but there are many reputable vendors of clematis and they all sell plants in the spring. Before ordering, you might want to look up other gardener's evaluations of the vendor you are planning to use on the Garden Watchdog to see if plants that small have a chance of thriving.
GP (Z9a - Houston, TX) thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH
GP (Z9a - Houston, TX)
Original Author
6 years ago
If clematis available during early summer then it 's a good news, may be I can wait until then. Thank you for your valuable comments.
Related Discussions
Is it better to buy Fall bulbs now or later (cost-wise)?
Q
Comments (6)
Remember, too, when considering bulbs, price isn't the whole story. Be sure you're getting a bargain on the size -- a low nominal price isn't a bargain if it's on tiny, starter bulbs that won't give you a good performance, IMO. All reputable companies will state the diameter of the bulbs -- compare it to other companies' prices on the same size and quality/grade. You can get decent bulbs at local stores sometimes, but you do have to be careful there. Many times they are very small. And, sometimes the quality is bad, diseased or whatever. I buy both locally and through mail order, and overall I'd say buying from someone like Van Engelen or Brent and Becky's gives you the best quality. But it definitely pays to pick up bargain bulbs on clearance late in the fall. Last year, I found bulbs for about 80% off at Meijer, a regional superstore chain in the midwest. Not the best bulbs in terms of size, but for $1 a bag for roughly 10 tulips or 25 crocus it was a real bargain. Dumped them all in the ground or pots just before Thanksgiving, and they did fine this spring.
...See More
Planting Broccoli now/squash later?
Q
Comments (1)
What kind of squash? It makes a big difference. But I'll assume you want it to be as productive as possible, and therefore get it off to as early a start as practical. If it were me, in my climate, I would want the squash planted outside by early May. That gives you like 5 or 6 weeks to get your cool season crops to finish. To me, that's not enough. You could hold off on the squash and cukes until June 1st, but time has been wasted. If I'm going to follow broccoli and cauliflower I typically choose a crop that starts in July, which is a Fall/Winter harvested crop.
...See More
Fall Overseeding Now its Spring
Q
Comments (1)
Hard to know where to start. You did good by seeding in Sept. Don't know what went wrong with the sprinkler but maybe you have the wrong one. I recommend an oscillator type for even coverage over a pretty big area. The newer turbine oscillators are better than the old mechanical ones. If you don't control of your watering then you are doomed to having a weed lawn. You absolutely cannot trust Mother Nature to help you water new seed. It MUST be watered 3x per day, for 10 minutes each, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Nature will never get that right. If you are going to spend the money on good seed, you should commit to the watering needed to make it sprout. KBG takes 3 weeks to sprout, to it is a commitment. Rather than spraying over and over for weeds, I would suggest you wait until fall to seed again. Yes you made a mistake that got in the way of your seeding. Next year do it right and you won't need this forum!!!
...See More
Dig up irises now & store for planting later?
Q
Comments (9)
i was sort of wondering the same thing...but more of a long term situation. is it possible to dig them up some and store them over the winter? i have a massive bed that needs to not only be dug and divided...but is completely overgrown with weeds and tree saplings. the previous property owners planted a ton of iris and daffodils right along a fence row. couldnt get the mower in there during mowing season, and i assume they never weed-wacked it due to all the flowers they had in there. so after many years it is more weeds than anything. but its huge and has to have thousands of bulbs and rhizomes! we are wanting to completely get rid of this bed and go back to a clean fence line. but we know that this will be a huge undertaking, as well as the many other projects we have going on right now. we can get them all dug up, but do not think we will be able to replant them all by the time the winter comes. has anyone else had any experience with storing them long term like this? im guessing we should just hold off and continue looking at the eyesore until next year.
...See More
mnwsgal
6 years ago
While I would not buy those tiny plants to overwinter I have heeled tiny seedlings still in their pots in the vegetable garden for the winter and they have survived. With your warmer winter you might have success if watered regularily. The mail order clematis that I have gotten are well rooted before they are sent. I would check to see if those small pots are filled with roots and pot them up or plant them. With your warmer soil they may still have root growth during the winter.

Related Stories

FALL GARDENING What to Plant Now to Benefit Wildlife in Spring

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

These North American native plants will support birds, butterflies and other pollinators when spring comes

GARDENING GUIDES Make Sure You Read This Before Buying New Plants

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Follow these 10 plant-selection tips to avoid buyer’s remorse

FALL GARDENING Why Fall Is the Best Time for Planting

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Spring is overrated for planting. Starting plants in autumn has advantages for both garden and gardener

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Heat-Loving Duranta Erecta Blooms From Spring Into Early Fall

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Golden dewdrops, a versatile tropical shrub, has delicate purple and white blossoms

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Unsung Bulbs for Fall Planting

By LuAnn Brandsen

Don't hang up your spade after summer — plant these unusual bulbs in fall for a spectacular spring show

LIFE Fall Planning for a Successful Big Spring Party

By Alison Hodgson

Get started now on assessing, completing home projects and cleaning to keep party stress and effort to a minimum come spring

FALL GARDENING Plant Freesias for Sweet-Smelling Blooms in Spring

By Marianne Lipanovich

These colorful flowers lend a cheerful touch to garden beds

FALL GARDENING Make This Fall’s Garden the Best Ever

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn the most important tip for preventing buyer’s remorse, plus get more valuable buying and planting advice

GARDENING GUIDES An All-Star List of 10 Shade Trees to Plant This Fall

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

These tried-and-true varieties offer good-sized canopies, seasonal interest, wildlife benefits and more

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Plants for a Deliciously Fragrant Fall Garden

Scent the autumn air with the perfume of caramel corn, honey and spices by adding these intoxicating plants to your landscape

Sponsored

More Discussions

Could this be Jackmanii Superba?

11

Atragenes, Alpinas for the south?

11

Anyone grow Brother Stefan?

6

Pruning of type 2?

1

Shade plant for base of Clematis? Help please?

1