Hello everyone, I am new to this forum. I am wondering if anyone can give me some advice on keeping the roots of my Clematis Armandii cool. I planted some creeping Sedum at the base this spring, but the intense heat of the last six weeks seems to have taken its toll on the plant, as it now has a lot on dry leaves. I was thinking of putting a heather at its base this fall, as it may better keep the roots cool. Any thoughts on that? Also, my zucchini squash are not growing very well; they seem to shrivel before they reach maturity. Any thoughts on that? Thanks!
Although it is often recommended to grow a small shrub or plant at the base of a clematis, I personally don't think it's a good idea as the roots can interfere with the clematis roots. You can mulch clematis with shredded leaves, bark chippings, compost, etc. then mulch in the winter with manure. Some clematis tend to loose their lower leaves. Make sure your plant gets plenty of water - at least a gallon per week and more in very hot, dry weather. This is more important than mulching. After all, mulching is only to prevent the soil from drying out. It's a falacy that clematis need to keep their roots cool. They just need to be kept moist. However, mulching in the winter with manure or compost, provides necessary fertiliser for the plant. Although most clematis are not too fussy about soil, make sure it is well drained.
m--there have been a few threads here about armandii, and their temporamental habits. I see lots of them around town with varying amounts of dead growth like you describe...sometimes on quite old, established plants, sometimes on newly planted ones-which then often croak the first year or so that they are in the ground. I'm also not sure it is too hot roots, tho conventional wisdom says clematis roots shut down above 27C and keeping them cool/shaded is likely helpful. Even so, many of mine in black nursery containers must get hotter than yours in the ground, and mine have done okay thru the heat. I have yet to hear a convincing explanation of this leaf and stem browning. I can only note that healthy plants seem to suffer much less, and plants in the nursery (growing in soiless mix, possible clue) seem to rarely suffer while newly planted armandii often die within a year or so. As many questions as answers from me, sorry! Glen, a backyard armandii propagator
zucchini m--the zucchinis will shrivel, esp. on the end, if they are not properly pollinated. Try doing the deed yourself by shoving a male pollen deal into the receptive female flower, and see if the fruit forms properly. Otherwise, it might be a water issue? Glen
I have just checked my clematis file which says that Armandii is best against a south or west facing wall and should be protected from strong winds. Old leaves do turn brown and drop in summer.
Hi, I put a flat rock(s) at the base of a clematis. (A rock about 2" thick). This is very cooling for it. You might need 3 or 4 rocks to go around.
Rocks and stones are not really a good idea to cover clematis roots as insects and bugs congregate under them and could cause damage to the roots.
