Clematis ‘Apple Blossom' - Climbing plants

Prior to planting, give the clematis roots a good soaking in a bucket of lukewarm water. Prepare a suitable hole in fertile, well-drained, loose soil. Place the clematis root ball at the correct depth - the top of the root ball should be just slightly below ground level. Refill the hole, heel well in and water immediately after planting. Clematis sp. will thrive in a mix of nutritious compost and garden soil. This vine will thank you for a spot in full sun or part shade.

Clematis is a fast growing climber, that will completely cover pergolas, fences and climbing frames in a very short time. It is also possible to train the shoots through larger shrubs - such as jasmine (Philadelphus). Even a tree with lots of branches can be a great support for this clematis. Another plant that harmonises well with this beautiful small-flowered clematis is the honeysuckle (Lonicera) - or try it next to a rambling rose for some spring colour.

The clematis is also called Old Man’s Beard and dislikes dry soil, so water more often during dry periods. You can keep its ‘feet' cool and moist by planting low-growing plants or shrubs around the base. A mulch of good garden compost mixed with granulated cow manure now and then, will be appreciated. This climber grows well along a fence or pergola. Help Clematis sp. to climb and fill in gaps by twining new shoots around a support as they grow.

This Clematis is an early and small-flowered clematis (pruning group 1). The flowers appear on last year's wood.
Clematis are divided into 3 pruning groups. This one is a group 1 - Pruning is not strictly necessary but remove all dead and damaged branches at the start of March. Snip of overblown blooms in the summer. Corrective pruning after flowering can help keep its shape.

The flowers of this clematis are quite small but appear in abundance. This is one of the earliest and most profusely flowering clematis. This vine grows rapidly and covers a large area in a short time.

Over time, this clematis can reach a height of 5 metres and the sight of all those buds just bursting to open is just lovely!

All clematis vines are classified under the buttercup family (Ranuculaceae).