"An important point to remember when it comes to container gardening is drainage. A porous materiel at the bottom of the container, one that will not clog existing drainage holes, is a must. It doesn't have to be much, maybe a few pieces of broken clay pot."
Ask VinnyQ & A Clematis Q: "I have a clematis vine that hasn't flowered for the past two years. What should I do? What is the proper time to prune clematis vines?" A: "How much you should prune a clematis depends on when the plant flowers. Those that bloom from mid-June to fall should be pruned back to 12 or 18 inches (30 or 46 cm) starting in their second spring, just as the buds begin to swell. This may seem rather drastic, but summer-bloomers flower only on the current year's growth, so removing the previous year's wood results in more flowers on a stockier plant. Other clematis' bloom between early May and mid-June on old growth, and often again in the fall on new growth. In order to encourage a good display in both seasons, prune this type of clematis lightly in early spring, removing only stems that are obviously dead, and cutting back any weak or unruly ones. If you aren't sure which type of clematis you have, let the vine grow freely for a year or two while you observe its blooming and growth patterns."[1]
[1] Excerpted from Step by Step Gardening Techniques illustrated with drawings by Elayne Sears, text by Janet H. Sanchez, a Garden Way Publishing book |
