Growing Clematis - Non-vining and Clump-forming Types

CULTURE: Full sun or partial shade (afternoon shade is required in the South). Evenly moist but well-drained garden soil.

Rather than climbing straight up, these Clematis have a more upright, clump-forming habit. You may wish to provide support by pushing twiggy branches into the soil near the crown of the plant in early spring or placing grow-through supports (such as available for Peonies) around the crown. You may prefer to allow the plants to ramble onto neighboring plants or along the ground or stone walls.

Prune back to 6–12″ stems in very early spring cutting just above a pair of healthy buds (plants that are pruned hard will generally bloom later but more profusely than those allowed to grow unchecked). Fertilize once, in early spring, with an all-purpose fertilizer or a time-released variety. Like their climbing relatives, these Clematis want a cool root run, so plant lower-growing plants to shade their roots rather than mulching heavily.