Thanks so much for this article! I have been wondering about the whole pruning thing; I bought a couple of clematis last year and noticed the "pruning group" notation on the labels with no idea what it was all about! Been meaning to look it up and now you have saved me the trouble and confusion.

Bravo! That is a well written article. I always thought the bone meal went in at the bottom, but sounds like it's a good idea to mix it with the rest of the soil. I have also read that mixing in small stones are helpful (expanded shale)
I never realized how much water was needed...I think I may have lost some this past hot summer, but hopefully they will reappear

Great Article.
We are temperature challenged here, and it doesn't help to be in the Chinook region. I love my Blue Boy (Alpine), Jackmani (Group 3) and the unknown burgundy big petal (I think group B) that I have had for years an didn't know better to keep the tag. Great info and thanks

Nice article, Chris. This is my year to add quite a few more clematis (from Mike's co-op) so this is very timely for me. I'm starring it for handy reference. Good timing.

Woofie, the fear of the different pruning groups is what originally kept me from growing these beautiful plants. I have some clematis that belong in each of the groups, but some winters the rabbits and voles chew them all down to the ground and I have never lost any from this. Severely stunted some of their growth for a year but they came back.

Anna, once established, most clematis in my zone 4 gardens survive with very little supplemental watering during the summer. But the first year is a critical year and they do appreciate the extra water.

Joanne, the viticella, alpina and macropetala types should all do well in your zone 3 region. One can never have too many clematis!

Tee, sounds like you're well on your way to a full-blown addiction! I see you already have gorgeous pictures of some of yours in the database.

My plant addictions all seem to be running together of late. But what a way to go!!

Boy, I can sure relate to that. I have no self control where plants are involved.

Yup, I'm getting some more clematis from Mike, too! Heh heh, among other things!
And it's good to know that I wasn't overwatering my new little plants that first year! Every time I'd water the containers in that area, I'd water the clematis, too.

Yup, I'm getting some from Mike's Co-op too!

I didn't know about the bone meal. I'll go out and give mine some this week. I notice it is starting to break dormancy.
Great article Chris.

My Madame Julia Correvon is group 3. I really like this pruning time. When I get more I want to keep them all in the group 3 category. Less to remember.

Exciting Lynn! I still have months to wait before mine break dormancy.

I like the group 3 pruning ones too. But then again, I never met a clematis I didn't like!

Good, timely, and well written article since I'm also expecting clematis from the co-op too! I'm going to be referring to it through the seasons.

Good deal Sandi! Some times the timing works out all by itself! Do you already grow any clematis?

I have three, but they have taken care of themselves up to this point. After ordering so many from the co-op, I was very pleased to see your article. I think I "over served myself" and ordered too many for such a small space.

Some of the ones in Mike's co-op are a good size to grow in containers.

Thank you for posting the article. I went a little clem crazy last year and planted 6 new ones. I already had 2 that have been growing here for several years but I neglected them and allowed one of them to get into a tangled mess. It has always bloomed beautifully here but I noticed some of the leaves would turn yellow just before the blooms would open. If you click on the photo, you can see more of the picture.

CLEMATIS COUNTESS de BOUCHARD - one of my favorites

Wow Julia, that's beautiful! Not sure what's up with the yellow leaves. Hopefully it outgrew the problem over the winter. Yeah, have to keep on top of training those vines - miss a couple of days and they can get away from you pretty quick.

Gorgeous! I noticed at Costco a nice variety of clematis of 4 to a pkg for about $13. Probably micro roots. I hope you all post your plant roots from the co op. I resisted, so you can make me green!

Thanks Anna. We'll find a way to convert you yet!

Thanks of the very informative and easy to understand article; never can have too many clematis articles or info.
I have a few clematis and just bought a couple from Mike.

I had to move two, Jackmanii and Crimson Star, from the south side, this fall, into pots. Poor things were so abused because I was so new to clematis and just thought they needed full sun but with my zone, they were frying...and with our drought these past years, they were bearly growing.
Hopefully they will come back this spring...