A clematis should not be missing in any garden. Not only do they produce magical flowers, evergreen clematis are also a beautiful sight in winter. Compared to the varieties that shed foliage, evergreens require slightly different care requirements in order to produce lush blooms year after year.
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location
Clematis of the genus Armandii prefers very bright locations. Sun to partial shade is ideal for them, but the soil around the plants should be well shaded to keep it from drying out. The combination with ground covers such as columbine or cranesbill species, which shade the plants up to a height of 40 cm, is ideal here. The clematis can easily reach a height of up to five meters, which must also be taken into account when choosing the location. Although the clematis could be guided over scaffolding such as rose arches, they often only show their full splendor along climbing frames, for example on house walls. The advantage of clematis is that it can grow safely on walls because it does not damage them.
The location should meet the following requirements:
- at least six hours of sun
- humic, slightly alkaline soil
- permeable soil
- sheltered location
A sheltered location is particularly important for evergreen varieties, because this is the only way they can keep their leaves in winter. They can withstand low temperatures without any problems, but if it gets too uncomfortable they will also shed their leaves.
planting time
The best time to plant clematis is late summer or early fall. At this time it is not so hot, which also reduces the risk of heat damage to the plants. They also have plenty of time to root before winter comes.
Ground preparation:
- Loosen up an area of 50×50 cm
- Work in the humus and lime
- on heavy soils, create a drainage with sand and gravel
- If space is limited, lay a root barrier made of pond liner
- Dig a planting hole twice the size of the bale
The clematis is planted with a slight incline to aid in climbing . The plant is planted so deep that the first side shoots are just above ground level. In the first one to two weeks you have to water the clematis regularly.
climbing aid
Clematis absolutely needs a climbing aid. Trellises are ideal for this, but they should not be too far apart. A maximum distance of 20 cm is ideal. If the distance is greater, auxiliary struts must be integrated. These can be simple twigs or cords.
When choosing a climbing aid, it is important that it has a structured surface. She cannot hold on to smooth surfaces such as obelisks. Such climbing aids are usually not accepted by the clematis either. If the clematis finds nothing to hold on to, it will also stop growing. Incorrect trellises are quickly noticed and can be exchanged immediately.
pour
Evergreen clematis have a very high water requirement, which also makes the choice of location difficult. In the preferably sunny locations, it is not easy to provide them with sufficient water on a regular basis. Even with ground covers shading the base of the plant, regular watering is a must.
In a year with regular rainfall, additional watering can be omitted. However, if there is no rainfall during flowering and in summer, this can cause lasting damage to the plant without an additional supply of water.
pruning
While non-evergreen clematis cultivars don’t need pruning because they keep sprouting up from the ground or branches just above ground level, Armandii cultivars are a bit more demanding. They form their flowers on biennial wood. This means that if older shoots are cut, they will not bear any flowers.
The plant is cut back immediately after flowering. This has the advantage that flowering shoots are removed and the formation of new vital shoots is forced. With young plants, however, pruning should only be done cautiously and cut no further than the first healthy pair of buds. This promotes a luxuriantly branched growth.
wintering
In a sheltered location, the effort for winter protection is very low. Only the lower area should be protected with some brushwood. In order for the plant not to drop its leaves in winter, it needs a lot of light. It is therefore not possible to provide the entire plant with winter protection. If the temperatures drop so far that the Armandii sheds its leaves, you should also do without subsequent protection. The plant in this case is already in a winter mode. She tries to survive by shedding the leaves. Bagging the plant can result in premature formation of leaves and shoots, causing greater damage to the plant.
Diseases
The evergreen clematis is very robust, only clematis wilt can cause problems. There are two different forms of clematis wilt, but they are both caused by fungi. If you suddenly discover wilted shoots, you should act quickly to prevent them from spreading.
The plant should be protected from moisture, so somewhat sheltered locations on house walls are also ideal for them. Infected shoots are then cut off close to the ground to prevent them from spreading. In order for the plants to dry more quickly, further shoots are removed for better ventilation.
Evergreen Clematis Varieties
These four clematis varieties are evergreen and require special care.
Apple Blossom
- Height: 4-7m
- Flower: white with a delicate pink tinge
- Flower star-shaped with a 4-6 cm centimeter
- Flowering period: March – May
The Apple Blossom strain is a lightly scented strain. The scent is vaguely reminiscent of vanilla and it is ideal as a climbing plant for house walls.
Care Instructions:
- Cut back in June
- consistently humus-rich soil
- water regularly from spring to summer
Hendersonii Rubra
- Height: 1.5-3.5m
- Flower: light pink
- Flower maximum 5 cm in diameter
- Flowering time: March – April
The Hendersonii Rubra variety is characterized above all by its lush small flowers. It has an intense scent and needs a generous location because it grows very luxuriantly.
Care Instructions:
- humic and permeable soil (if necessary, create drainage)
- Thinning out in June
- Shading required up to 50 cm above the ground
Little White Charm
- Height: 3-4m
- Flower: white
- Flower 4-5 cm in diameter
- Flowering time: March – April
The variety Little White Charm impresses above all with its lush flowers in the form of small stars. With good care, the clematis looks like a waterfall of dainty white stars. However, it is only winter hardy to a limited extent and only tolerates temperatures down to – 5°C. It must therefore be in a protected location.
Care Instructions:
- Cut back to 2 m in May
- humic, well drained soil
- Winter protection necessary up to a height of at least 1 m
Snowdrift
- Height: 4.5-9m
- Flower: pure white
- Flower 5 – 10 cm in diameter
- Flowering time: April – May
The Snowdrift variety not only stands out for its beautiful large white flowers, it also has attractive foliage. The leaves are bronze when they sprout and turn dark green over the course of the year. It also gives off an intense scent.
Care Instructions:
- Cut back in June
- offer a generous location with sufficient space for height growth
- Winter protection necessary at temperatures below -15°C
- humus garden soil
