Frequently Asked Questions
Should I cut off the seedheads?
Yes, if you want more flowers. No, if you like the decorative aspect of the seedheads.
My clematis has turned brown and is drooping. What should I do?
Clematis are susceptible to many fungi that can cause them to wilt. You also may have unknowingly kinked a young clematis' stems. This can also cause the plant to droop. If it is fungus that caused the wilt, it is a very disappointing malady though it is usually not fatal if you planted correctly in the first place. I would suggest that you carefully cut off all of the diseased parts of the vine and then disinfect your clippers with Physan 20. Dispose of all these diseased parts in a trash bag. Read the article about stem rot on this website.
Can I take a cutting from my friend's clematis?
Yes, you can root clematis cuttings. There are many books on propagation and it would be a good idea for you to borrow one from the library because it is rather lengthy to explain. There are two articles about this subject on this website. Propagation of Clematis by Cuttings and PROPAGATION Here are a couple of tips for propagating clematis from cuttings: take the young shoot in the summer months and dip it into a rooting compound and also place it in a sterilized planting medium.
Why are my leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves can be a symptom of overwatering or a mineral deficiency. Clematis need regular watering but is it is important not to let them become waterlogged. Clematis are heavy feeders. The ACS endorses Gro-Power Fertilizer because it is an organic soil conditioner as well as a fertilizer and it contains the necessary minerals to keep clematis healthy.
How do I prune my clematis and when?
There are many factors to consider when you are deciding to prune your clematis so it can not be answered efficiently here. If you are interested in learning about correct pruning techniques in the U.S., our book, Simply Clematis...Clematis Made Simple, has a wonderful chapter dedicated to pruning and it is forthright and simple.
How do I pronounce clematis?
The correct pronunciation is CLEM-uh-tis.
Where do I find the variety of clematis I am looking for?
Unfortunately, the American Clematis Society cannot give out specific names of nurseries that are carrying certain clematis. This is due to the fact that plant availability is constantly changing and undertaking a task like that would be overwhelming. However, we are now providing a free service for American clematis gardeners called the ACS's Online Buyer's Guide. This is an excellent resource for contacting mail-order nurseries to help you in your search to find a particular clematis.
How can I help? Does the ACS accept donations?
The ACS continues to have two very important objectives to pursue before we can succeed in making clematis as 'Recognizable as the Rose' in the United States. The first is to educate Americans on correct growing techniques for our country, which has so many diverse growing zones. Our society is currently accomplishing this via our newsletter, talks, seminars and its two books, The American Clematis Society's Guide to Growing Clematis in the United States and Simply Clematis...Clematis Made Simple. The second is something very dear to my heart, re-establishing an American hybridization program. I am looking forward to the day when we can offer the rest of the world an American clematis. In order to accomplish these objectives you can help by demanding that suppliers recognize that growing zones need to be expanded to reflect the areas that really do accommodate growing clematis and by helping to support us financially. Our society does welcome contributions. Since we are a non-profit organization (we are 501(c)3) your contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you in advance for any support you can offer. Please mail your donations to:
American Clematis Society
P.O. Box 17085
Irvine, CA 92623-7085