Thank you I did look on the clematis forum, and found some good information there. I know that these are both pruning group 3, which I read is best for a beginner in my region. I ended up planting them into coffee cans that I drilled holes into. Apparantly my DH decided I had to many pots in storage, and cleaned them out for me! So coffee cans will have to do for now. I can always pot them up into a larger pot later if needed. I did make some little trellis things out of bamboo for them to cling to. I do have to say that the root systems on these little plants was amazing! Hopefully I will be able to get my new bed all prepared yet this summer. And will be able to plant these in the ground later. So they don't have to over winter in the pots. I have a new arbor, and a spot picked out. I just need to prepare the beds! I am trying to decide if I should do the cardboard, layering with compost and such method. OR if I should give in to the DH who loves to run the tiller, and let him till it up. OR if I should do a combination of the 2 methods. Let him till, add some amendments, then cover it with cardboard and mulch. Let it sit and plant into it sometime in September, or even wait til spring. I am really not in a hurry. Jenny P

I bought my daughter a hanging flower arrangement kinda like that last summer. It hung verticaly and there were holes/slits cut in various places in the bag, this is where the petunias grew from. It was quite small when I bought it but as it grew and became fuller it looked like a solid masss of petunias. I have also seen it with moss roses as well as ivy geraniums. Cute idea.

Clematis can take several years to reach maturity and that length of time depends on the age of the plant when it is planted. A bare root infant can take 3-4 years to reach maturity. If you have purchased an "infant" in a small pot or plastic bag, it is best to nurse your young plant in a one gallon pot for the first summer and plant it in a permanent location in the autumn. You can also sink the entire pot into the ground in the autumn and plant it in a permanent location in the spring after the ground thaws. This helps to protect the young roots from damage. If you cannot sink the pot in the ground, a sheltered spot outside, or inside an unheated greenhouse will work as well. Above ground growth the first year is usually pathetic while most of the growth is taking place under ground. A good root system is critical for a vigorous vine. The second year will result in a larger vine, and the third year will be larger yet. Be sure to fertilize and water your clematis as they require lots of each. This will create a strong root system and a good foundation for years of beautiful blooms. Tomato fertilizer, rose food, 5-10-10, or even an Osmocote type fertilizer are good choices. Slow release fertilizers are preferred. For more information on fertilizers, see the FAQ entitled "How to feed a clematis - choosing fertilizers." It is best to buy a well rooted plant from a garden center, mail order supplier who sells good size potted plants, or nursery if you want a faster growing plant. Clematis specialists take care in making sure that the cultivar is true to the label. Be sure to check the drain holes and make sure the roots are visible. Plant the clematis about three inches lower in the hole than the pot level. For more on how to plant your clematis, see the FAQ concerning "How to plant a clematis."

Ken, I was just looking more gardeners that have tried them. It seems some people like them, and some don't. So I want to try them (and have begun). Wondering what the negatives will be. So far, it seems those bags need more watering. Spin out bags are heavier, water permeable but I don't think they would dry out as fast if they were on the surface rather than in the ground. Patti, I wish I could answer your questions! Mxk3 said they used a spin out bag and planted it into a ceramic planter. I've done that. Spin out bags are made to be planted into the soil. So I had a large planter with assorted plants. The hosta plant was in a spin out bag, the others weren't. Come fall, I removed it from the planter and dug it into the soil to overwinter. Fabric bags aren't made to be planted into the ground. But maybe it would work? You certainly could put the fabric bag into a pot. Not sure what the benefits of that would be. But it would be helpful when overwintering. That way, you would remove the fabric bag and store and overwinter the ceramic pot away from rain and snow and freezing temperatures. I don't think one should worry about the roots freezing in the fabric bags. The roots freeze in pots that are left outside too! As I understand it, it isn't the freeze that kills the roots, but it is the freeze/thaw/wet conditions that can cause root and crown rot. I will be storing my two fabric bags in a shed.