Clematis for cut flowers and foliage

For many, the biggest plus of a bountiful flower garden is filling vases with freshly cut blooms. Hydrangeas, lilies, roses, sweet peas, peonies and stocks are routinely cultivated for cutting, but the lovely exotic blooms of clematis are often overlooked.

Many clematis have strong sturdy stems that are ideal for flower arrangements, but not all are suited to this purpose, so look for the recommended varieties when choosing vines.

Whenever the ground is workable, clematis can be planted. Clematis need a cool, moist, deep root run, plenty of water and regular, balanced feeding. Dig a hole 45 cm (18 in.) by 45 cm wide and 45 cm deep, and cover the bottom with a good rich compost or well-rotted manure. A handful of bone meal mixed with soil is also beneficial. Add enough topsoil to cover the compost; now you are ready to plant. Place your well-watered clematis in the hole so that about 15 cm (6 in.) of stem is below the soil line. Next, attach the stem to a support and consider planting a small shrub in front to ensure your clematis has a cool root run.

Tip: If you have an automated irrigation system for your lawn or garden beds, make sure you site clematis where it will not be overwatered. Clematis wilt, triggered by a fungus that thrives in damp conditions, may cause the vine to collapse. If this happens, prune the vine right back, reduce the water, cross your fingers and hope it rejuvenates.

To encourage abundant healthy blooms, it’s important to fertilize. In early spring, apply an organic all-purpose granular fertilizer or use my organic clematis-mulch recipe. While the buds are developing, use a liquid organic feed weekly until the blooms start to open. At this stage discontinue fertilizing as you don’t want the plant to “bloom out,” or spend its blossoms too quickly. Be sure to water your clematis as needed; drought stress will cause buds and blooms to suffer.

Cut the blooms early in the morning; ideally the vine will have been well watered the evening before. The stems should be 12.5 cm (5 in.) long and cut at a 45-degree angle using disinfected pruners or floral scissors. Place cut stems immediately into cool fresh water. After cutting the flower, trim the vine back to a set of leaves to leave a proper pruning cut. To extend the life of cut blooms, refresh the water and re-cut the stems every two days.

This year, plan to add clematis suitable for cutting to your flower garden. There are red, purple, pink, and white types and single or double blooms, so why not plant a few?

Clematis 'Durandii'

The flower arranger’s favourite, as it holds up the best in a vase, with strong stems and long-lasting 12.5-cm (5-in.) blooms. A non-stop bloomer from June through September with six-petalled indigo-blue flowers with creamy-yellow centres. It reaches 1.8 m (6 ft.), making it suitable for a container garden, and can take full sun or partial shade. Pruning group C, hardy to zone 4.

Clematis ‘Duchess of Edinburgh’

This clematis has been popular for over 100 years. The soft-white double flowers, excellent for wedding bouquets or to soften summer arrangements, are borne in May, June and then later in September. The vine will reach 3.6 m (12 ft.); pruning group B1, zone 4.

Clematis ‘Mme. Le Coultre’

Large 15-cm (6-in.), pure-white single blooms with yellow stamens are lovely for weddings. Blooming all summer, this vine glows in a shady area of the garden. Suitable for a container. Pruning group B2, zone 4.

Clematis montana ‘Elizabeth’

Although these blooms are not the longest lasting, they put on a massive display in early spring and are worth snipping and bringing in simply because of their vanilla fragrance. Four-petalled dainty pink blossoms have white edges and soft-yellow centres. For a solid bright-pink bloom, look for ‘Fragrant Spring’. For white, choose ‘Alba’. All are group A, so no pruning is required, zone 7.

The brightest ruby red of all the clematis, each bloom has six long, pointed petals that contrast vibrantly with the yellow centre. Blooms all summer long on 1.8-m (6-ft.) vines. Pruning group C, zone 4.

Clematis viticella ‘Polish Spirit’

As the name suggests, this is an introduction from Poland. This deep-purple nicely shaped bloom will make any bouquet pop. The 3-m (10-ft.) vine blooms all summer and is suitable for a container. Pruning group C, zone 3.

A popular clematis and good choice for cutting as the flowers last longer than most. The first bloom in spring of double fuchsia flowers is followed by single blossoms in late summer. The vine can grow to 3.6 m (12 ft.) and is suitable for sun or part sun. Pruning group B1, zone 4.

Clematis ‘Walter Pennell’

Named after the famous British plant grower, this clematis has large blooms of pink on deeper pink, with a fluffy soft-yellow centre. The first bloom in May and June produces an almost double, or layered, blossom and is followed by single blooms in August. Suitable for sun or part shade, the vine grows to 3.6 m (12 ft.) and can be grown in a container. Pruning group B1, zone 4.

And let's not forget about these other beauties:

Clematis ‘Inspiration’

Strong stems hold up long-lasting, pretty pink, nodding blooms with a contrasting soft-yellow centre. The vine flowers all summer and is suitable for small spaces and containers as it grows to just 1.8 m (6 ft.). Pruning group C, zone 3.

Clematis macropetala ‘Bluebird’

Produces nodding blue blossoms in early spring, followed by attractive seedheads that resemble petite wire bird’s nests – great for adding texture to flower arrangements. An easy grower to 3 m (10 ft.). Pruning group A, zone 3.

Horticulturist and arborist Sheena Adams offers more tips and inspiration for organic gardening at
www.gardenwiseonline.ca/sheena-adams

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