Let's hope you end up needing a tall trellis. Lowe's and HD have some nice ones at reasonable prices. Backed up and tied to a 6' piece of rebar will keep it in place.

I have a nice 5 ft tall trellis but its too wide to put in a pot. I saw a couple of two foot tall trellises at the 99 cent only store but I guess that's still too small?

Is there a chance you could mount the tall trellis behind the pot? Or, are you unsure exactly where you want the clematis to reside?

That would be a great idea. I just have to move it to the otherside of my house so the clematis will have afternoon shade in the summer.

Wonderful! You can tilt the clematis toward the trellis when you plant it in the pot. People often do it when planting directly in soil.

Ok and I need to plant it below the soil surface too?

Oh, yes! Three inches deep would be good. The mulch on top is very important to keep the roots cool and moist.

Remove any leaves that would end up being buried or they'll just rot and could lead to decay. Probably you won't even have leaves to be worried about but that will happen quickly when it has a new home with you.

Clematises can be drowned by too much water so water well, then wait before you water again. A moisture meter would be a big help.

Maybe I should add some perlite to the soil, just to aid in drainage? I'll remember to get some much too. I'm hoping we'll have a chance to dry out when I get it?

Good idea. Pine mulch would be ideal but it isn't available everywhere.

I wish that type of mulch was available here.

I don't even know what is comparable. It's very light and airy, yet it doesn't blow away because the pieces intermingle.

I bet they sell that in east Texas, since there a tons of pine forests?

Sounds likely. Try either a forum for Texas, to ask, or good old Google.

Ok I'll do that. Thanks again Arlene.

Lucky you on that hard to find clematis! I would recommend to add expanded shale. Easy to find at Garden centers...even Calloways (20% off this weekend) It helps with drainage and apparently, the roots like to grow around the little rocks

Thanks! I can't wait to add it to my garden. I think I'll grow it in a container the first year then transplant it to my garden. The area where I want to transplant it is a neglected area so I want to improve the soil. I'll keep my eye out for expanded shale. I saw some in the feed store yesterday.

If your store carries a manure called Black Kow - buy it! The clem's will love it and so will many other plants. Laugh if you wish but a friend brought a bag of it to my husband, for his birthday, one year and the store never carried it again but the tomatoes were the best ever!

I love using Black Kow. My banana plants love that stuff. Thankfully Lowe's always has it in stock here. To me that's a perfect birthday gift lol.

Us, too!

In fact I need to get more for my flowerbeds.