clematis

im not having much joy with clematis, a plant i always wanted to grow.
in fact i built a massive pergola mainly for them.
the jackmannii i put in last year grew 2 or 3ft this year then just died.
a villa de lyon & a nelly moser are at about 5ft now but showing no signs of blooms.
planted them last year too.
also one called multi blue is about the same.
the only one looking great is montana.planted last year too.
i followed instructions from garden centre & i also have them shaded from sun at bottom.
feed them tomato feed once a week also make sure they get watered.
what am i doing wrong?anyone help?.

 

Well you are certainly feeding them far too often
Once a year would be fine
I never feed mine
You might also be overwatering them
Sometimes they take a little while before they bloom
They should be planted deeper than normal plants in case of clematis wilt .... then, if they die, they will usually grow again

 

yes i agree i think feeding every week would be to much . are they getting enough sun ?some clematis will not flower if they have no sun. i found that out once, i moved my potted clematis to a shady place and it had lots of green lush leaves but did not produce one flower that year, so i moved it back into the sun and it flowered the next year

 

Well on the bright side yours is still alive:D, I've never managed that! Mine always die, I've given up on growing them now:(

 

how would you like to get fed once a year.
you must have the perfect soil for them or something,
my soil is clay,y(is that a word)
anyway i did plant them deep as instructed, maybe not deep enough.
who knows with gardening,someone out there i hope.

 

Vik, clay soil has more nutrients in it than just about any other soil. So you don`t need to feed them. Cut the Jackmanii back to ground level. 9 times out of 10 a clematis will reshoot from the base.

 

I wouldn't worry Vikpole. They take a while to establish. In fact I have seen it recommended to prune all Clematis, in the spring of their second year, hard - to force them to bush out.

I am on clay and I never feed mine - as David says clay has plenty of nutrient. I hope you are aware Montana is a monster. Mine is still young, but is already 20 foot across. I have left it on a long trellis to fight it out with a Wisteria!

 

This beauty is on my archway and gives out a lovly smell.

 

thanks to all.to learn is to know.

 

Mine always die too, I have had three in the past 18 months, but now at least next time I get tempted to try again I'll know how to take care of it.