Early spring clematis

[moggssue]

Hi again all - a flower question if I may! I have an early spring flowering clematis in a big pot (sorry, forgot the variety, the flowers are small white star shapes) and want to move it into the ground by my decking to grow up the pergola there. I've been reading around about clematis and am thoroughly confused as to the best time to do this? I was hoping to move it about now, to use the pot for a late sowing of beans or peas but am not sure this is the right time of year?

Also, do I need to prune it? It's two years old and I haven't pruned it at all so far, preferring to let it gain a bit of height - again confused as to when/how/which bits to cut? Here's hoping there's a clematis expert among you grapes out there?!

[Palustris]

Not sure which variety it is from your description, but most likely one of the C.marmoraria tribe. Is it evergreen with almost grassy leaves?
Anyway, it does not really matter. If it is in a pot you can plant it at anytime you choose as long as the ground is in a fit state for planting. They are heavy feeders, so give it a boost when planting with some Bonemeal. You do not need to plant it deeply as suggested for mid and late flowering season Clematis, but you can if you want to, better a bit deeper than a bit shallower, if you see what I mean.
The early flowering ones do not need any pruning except to remove any dead or damaged shoots. This is normally done after flowering has finished so that the plant can make lots of new growth on which it flowers next year.
Anything else needed?

[moggssue]

Hi Palustris and thanks for your help - yes it is evergreen! Digging around in my brain its something like armani?? I want to dig out a patch of lawn on the edge of my decking and pop in in there, leaning against a pergola. I deadheaded it as it went along but haven't taken out any shoots at all, it seems really healthy though it hasnt put on much growth, but it is only two years old so I'm trying to be patient (as with all things!). I guess I can feed it while feeding my veg pots if its a heavy feeder?

[FoxHillGardener]

Armandii? One of my favourites, lovely perfume. They can go a bit mad, but I think that's a good thing and you can give it a chop if it threatens to take over too much

[Palustris]

Beat me to it. C. armandii is a lovely early flowering evergreen one. Do not worry if you get browning leaves on it, the older leaves tend to die off all the year round so there are always a few manky looking leaves, just remove them if they bother you.

[nick the grief]

Whatever sort it is plant it a tad deeper than it ws growing in the pot & it will love you for it

[moggssue]

Thanks all, most helpful as ever! I had a look at the label (good job I keep these in the shed, with my memory!) and it's actually called Cartmanii (I think thats how you spell it). I intend - unless you all shout noooo - to plant it out at the weekend, with some bonemeal in the bottom of a nice deep hole dug out of the edge of the lawn next to the pergola, and just take off any sick looking leaves and help it start its merry way upwards (it's maybe 3' high at the mo) but otherwise leave it alone to do its own thing.

[Palustris]

C. x cartmannii is a New Zealnd spring flowering Clem. It needs no special treatment and does not get blight. It is slightly less hardy than the big flowered northern hemisphere ones, but if it has survived in a pot for you, then it certainly will be ok in the garden. They do not get very tall, probably a maximum of 6 feet in the best of conditions and usually a lot less than that. Ours is no more than a metre after 6 years.

[moggssue]

Hmm, maybe the pergola isnt the best place in that case, I was thinking it'd climb further than that - back to the drawing board!!

[Palustris]

It depends on which x cartmanii you actually have. C x c. Joe is a small one. C x c. Avalanche is a taller one and so on. There are about 8 slightly different ones on the market and the heights vary from 1m to 5.0 m. I would think if it is still small after 2 years then it is one of the dwarfer varieties.

[moggssue]

The label didnt give a type, not that I noticed anyway. All I can say is it has gorgeous, small white starshaped flowers in early spring and is now around 3' tall! Think I might put it into the border instead, it sounds a bit small for the pergola, and treat myself to a different variety for the pergola (any excuse haha!).