I am thinking of trying crystal blue fountains in a large container that has a builtin trellis. Has anyone overwintered clematis in containers in the north?

I have. If the plants aren't real big yet in the fall I might bury the container in the ground for the winter. I have one that I just let sit next to the garage over the winter the last few years and that one has done fine too.

Thanks for your reply. I am thinking I will give it a try that way see if it works. Then I won't always have to buy annual vines and save some money in the long run, those annual vines keep getting more expensive.

I try to buy as few annuals as possible, because of the expense. Be sure to let us know how overwintering in a pot works for you.

I certainly will report back on what happens next year. One more question which ones did you have in pots?

Bijou, Niobe and Omoshiro.

Thanks for the info Chris. I have Bijou planted in the ground with a small obelisk will see how it does this year.

Good luck!

I have lots of Clematis in the ground, some old and some just out of the pots last year. It takes mine at least 3 years to look really good. One thing I also do is put a few Blushing Susie seeds, Cardinal Climber seeds and Japanese Morning Glory seeds in some cups on the window sill and have lots of annual vines very cheap. They are sooo easy to grow.

Wintering works here in Z6a.I have Bilou a short on bred for containers and Vagabond thats a bit taller 6 feet I think.Its back for the second year.


Its in a protected area but our winters are awful as far as freezes goes

Thanks for the information everyone! I did pick up some annual vines to use for this year and do realize that it will take the clematis several years to get established. I have about a dozen or so planted in different areas of the yard. This will be my first attempt at growing them in pots.

I am very curious- how did it go overwintering your clematis in pots? I am considering the same and would love to hear your results!💕

I've overwintered Omoshiro, Crystal Fountains, Niobe for several years in pots that I bring in to the garage (set up on pieces of 2x4).
They are fine.

Princess Diana died after 2 years -- but it doesn't live long outside either.

I live in Zone 8A (southwest AR). I've had a Boulevard Cezanne growing in a half whiskey barrel for about four years now and has had no problems overwintering, even through one winter where we stayed below 20 degrees (nights in the single digits) for two weeks and it did just fine. I have a trellis in the container and the clematis covers it, with heavy bloom in the spring and lighter blooming throughout our horribly hot and dry summers. It's already covering the trellis again this year with a lot of buds. The other is another of the Boulevard series (forget the name) which is in a 21-inch diameter resin urn. It is not as vigorous a grower for me as Cezanne but has proved to be a trooper through the winters, remaining out in the yard. This it's 3rd or 4th year and it's also in the process of covering its trellis. I'd say both are doing as well as the Clematis that are planted in the ground, and sure a lot easier to weed, water, and care for! (Note: Photos are of 'Cezanne')

The over wintering in container did not work for me, just gets too cold.

I live in Liverpool in the north of England. It probably gets down to minis 10 degrees. I have bought four clematis plants in plastic pots. I think it is too late to plant them out although they are still in bloom. They are all about 30 inches high. My question is what is the best way to overwinter in these pots ? Also should I prune them after flowering ?. I was told to prune them to 6 inches above the soil although I am rather dubious about that advice. Also to wrap the pots in bubble wrap which I think is a good idea.
Thanks in advance.
As you see from the photos I have a plastic mini greenhouse. Should I store the pots in there overwinter ?.

Hi Moonshine, is your temperature in celsius or fahrenheit? I do prune mine down, but to be honest, they don't do real well overwintering in containers.

Hi Goldfinch,
Temp is in Farenheit.

PNW/8b here and of the 24 we have only 3 are in the ground after 10 years in pots. All our pot go up by the foundation of the house with the newer ones having a space in the garage until they are 5 years old. Make sure you have insulated pots not the thin ones. But you can wrap them in bubble wrap to help protect and put a blanket over them if temps go to low. I wish those of you the best of luck in the lower zones!!

We also cut our clematis back in July when it's hot, fertilize and get fall blooms!!

@MOONSHINE Your temps sound very similar to mine. I guess I'd give it a try and see. Not sure your greenhouse will help much. If you have an unheated garage or shed they may do better in there.