Clematis mountain: description and characteristics, planting and care, pruning group

Clematis (clematis) is the most popular climbing plant for vertical landscaping. Liana in a short period of time is able to wrap around a gazebo, pergola, or arch. At the beginning of the 19th century, a plant was discovered, which was given the name mountain clematis. The following is information about the characteristics of the species, popular varieties, as well as planting, care, and reproduction of the liana.

Characteristic of the species

Mountain Clematis is a vine whose lashes can reach a height of 8 meters. Pink, white, lilac, cream flowers are formed on the shoots of last year.They can be single or collected in inflorescences, designed in the form of corymbs and panicles. Trifoliate, pointed leaves are green in summer and yellow in autumn.

Mountain clematis climbs to a height with the help of petioles, with which it clings to a support. Its flowering begins at the end of spring.

This plant is frost-resistant, so it can be grown in regions with fairly cold winters.

Popular varieties

The most popular varieties of mountain clematis grown in garden plots are Pink Rubens and Montana Grandiflora.

Pink Rubens

The main decoration of this variety is large pink flowers. Pink Rubens is also valued for the subtle vanilla aroma emitted by the plant during flowering. Clematis buds are laid in autumn, bloom - in late May or early June.

Montana Grandiflora

The variety builds up powerful lashes that can cover a gazebo or pergola in a short period. Clematis flowers are large, look like four-pointed stars. Flowering lasts throughout June. In addition to the fact that the liana has an aesthetic appearance, a pleasant fragrance emanates from it.

Landing

For the development of mountain clematis, the place in which it will be planted, the composition of the soil, and the timing of planting are of great importance. It is also important to choose the right he althy planting material so that it is not affected by various diseases in the future.

Seat Requirements

Mountain clematis is a photophilous plantation. In a shaded place, the growth and flowering of clematis will be weak. But, at the same time, you need to make sure that the root system of the vine is cool. To do this, it is sprinkled with mulching material.

Selection and soil preparation

Mountain clematis prefers to grow on loose, fertile soil. Heavy, clayey soil should be lightened with the addition of sand and compost. According to the degree of acidity, the soil should be neutral or slightly alkaline.

Timing

Mountain clematis is planted in spring or autumn. A seedling grown in a container can be planted even in summer. If the gardener did not have time to plant clematis in the fall, he can save it until spring by placing it in a cool room. So that the roots do not dry out, they need to be sprinkled with a mixture of sawdust and sand.

Selecting planting material

You need to buy mountain clematis seedlings from trusted sellers. Creeper shoots must be strong, with elastic leaves. They should not have signs of disease, otherwise the young plant may die without even having time to take root. It is best to purchase clematis in containers with a closed root system.

Plant pattern

A pit for planting clematis is dug according to the scheme 60×60×60. At its bottom, drainage is poured from stones or expanded clay with a layer of about 10 centimeters. If the soil on the site is infertile, compost, dolomite flour, superphosphate are added to the planting pit.

Care

In order for clematis to please their flowering for a long time, you need to take care of them: water, feed, weed the ground around them, prevent the appearance of diseases and pests.

Irrigation

Mountain Clematis loves moisture, so it needs frequent watering, at least once a week. Around the vines, you can dig a few pots with small holes, and pour water into them if necessary. Through the holes, the liquid will slowly penetrate to the roots, moisturizing them in a dry summer.

Loosening and weeding

Around clematis you need to constantly remove weeds by hand or by weeding.This procedure is especially required for young clematis: if the weeds are not plucked, it will not allow weak lashes to develop. When weeding, the soil is simultaneously loosened, which contributes to the penetration of water and air to the root system.

Feeding

In the first year, clematis can not be fed, especially if they are planted in fertilized soil. The following year, they are fed first with nitrogen to build up green mass, then, during the budding period, with potassium and phosphorus. Clematis is fertilized with the same composition after flowering.

Crop group

Mountain clematis belongs to the 1st pruning group. These vines do not need annual pruning, it is enough to remove only damaged branches. For adult plants, anti-aging pruning is performed, removing half of the shoots after flowering. The remaining old branches are removed for the next year.

Pay attention! Trimming shoots when planting is not recommended.

Support

Since the shoots of mountain clematis are able to climb to great heights, you need to install a support around the plant, or plant it near already dug-in pillars. Supports do not have to be vertical, they can be in the form of arches, pyramids, fan structures. Clematis can also be placed between bushes by stretching several ropes or lines between them.

Diseases and pests

Diseases and pests are easier to prevent. To do this, it is impossible to allow overheating of the soil, it is forbidden to fertilize vines with fresh manure. In autumn, you need to burn plant residues that contribute to the spread of pathogenic microorganisms.

Fusariosis

When fusarium in clematis, the lower parts of the shoots turn black. A fungal disease appears due to increased moisture at the roots of the plant.

To prevent fusarium, clematis is sprayed in spring and autumn with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.

Wilt

This is the most common fungal disease among clematis. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into the tissues of the vines through the injured parts. Shoots darken and quickly wither. In the initial stages of the disease, plants are sprayed with fungicides. If the disease has spread to the entire plant, it is dug up and burned.

Nematodes

These are microscopic parasitic worms that inhabit all parts of the vine. Especially dangerous are root nematodes, as a result of which the cells grow, and nodules - galls are formed on the roots. Infected plants are destroyed, otherwise they can infect the rest of the plantings.

Reproduction

You can breed clematis on the plot in several ways: by seeds, cuttings, layering, dividing the bush.

Seeds

Propagation by seeds is done in early spring.Before planting in open ground, they must undergo stratification (holding for 2.5-3 months at low temperatures). To do this, you can keep the seeds all winter in the refrigerator. The seed is soaked in water for 3 days, then planted in the garden to a depth of 1 centimeter.

Shanks

For spring cuttings, well-ripened middle parts of shoots are used. They are cut, placed in water with the addition of Kornevin for 30 minutes, then planted in a pot. After rooting, young plants are planted in open ground.

Layers

Clematis is best propagated by layering in the spring. To do this, the shoots are pinned into small depressions dug in advance near the clematis. The place of contact of the stems with the soil is watered, covered with garden soil. In autumn, rooted seedlings are dug up and transplanted to a permanent place.

Dividing the bush

The procedure is performed with adults, over 6 years old, creepers. The bushes are dug up, cleared of the ground, neatly divided into parts. Each division should have several shoots and a developed root system.