Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to grow Clematis Jackmanii for a while now, and I finally took the plunge. I bought a small plant from a local nursery and got to work. First things first, I needed to find the right spot. I read somewhere that these guys love the sun but like their roots to be cool, so I picked a place where the plant could get a good 6 hours of sunlight a day but the base would be shaded by some other plants.
Next up, planting. I dug a hole that was about twice as wide as the pot the clematis came in and just as deep. I made sure to loosen up the soil at the bottom of the hole to help with drainage. Clematis apparently don’t like sitting in water, who does, really?
- I mixed some compost into the soil I dug out.
- I gently took the clematis out of its pot, being careful not to damage the roots.
- I placed it in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball was level with the ground.
- Then, I filled the hole back in with the soil mixture, pressing down gently to remove any air pockets.
- Lastly, I gave it a good watering to help settle the soil.
After planting, I added a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help keep the roots cool and moist. I used some wood chips I had lying around. Then I installed a small trellis right behind the plant. They can climb up to 10 feet or so. I’m looking forward to watching it grow.
In terms of ongoing care, I’ve been watering it regularly, especially during dry spells. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. I also started feeding it with a balanced fertilizer every couple of weeks during the growing season. Oh, and pruning! From what I’ve gathered, Clematis Jackmanii blooms on new wood, so I pruned it back pretty hard in late winter or early spring. I cut it back to about a foot or two from the ground, just above a set of healthy buds. It felt a bit drastic, but it’s supposed to encourage lots of new growth and flowers.
Watching It Grow
It’s been a few months now, and my clematis is thriving! It’s climbed up the trellis and is covered in those beautiful purple flowers. I’m so glad I decided to give it a try. It’s definitely a bit of work, but totally worth it when you see those blooms!
