Compact varieties bring these beauties up close
I've been gardening and writing about gardening for more than 20 years, yet I find I'm always learning new things about the plants, insects and other critters that call my backyard home. That's the great thing about gardening — it's never boring! I've worked as a landscaper, on an organic farm, as a research technician in a plant pathology lab and ran a small cut-flower business, all of which inform my garden writing. Someone once asked me when I'll be finished with my gardens, to which I replied, "Never!" For me, gardening is a process, not a goal.
Compact Fujimusume clematis is perfect for growing in patio planters.
Bring the “queen of climbers” to your patio, balcony, or deck by growing compact varieties in planters. Many clematis varieties can reach 10' to 20' tall; in contrast, the compact beauties shown below top out at 4' to 8'. You won't be compromising on flowers, either — they still boast abundant blooms up to 7" across. And they're magnets for hummingbirds, too!
Tips for Success with Container Clematis
- Choose a planter that's at least 18" in diameter
- Make sure the pot can drain freely
- Select a support with uprights or rings no larger than 1/2" dia. (so plant can grasp onto them)
- Insert the support at planting time
- Place the plant in full sun
- Clematis like their roots to stay cool, so place smaller pots of herbs or annuals around the planter to shade it
- If necessary, anchor the planter to a railing or similar structure to prevent toppling
Shop for Trellises and Obelisks
The Nocturne Pot Obelisk and Mazzzano Self-Watering Planter combination is perfect for compact clematis.
Cezanne™
Abundant sky-blue flowers with contrasting white stamens cover the 3' to 4' vines.
Fleuri™
Early-blooming variety has richly colored flowers on 4' high vines.
Edda™
A charming 3' to 4' climber with blooms that open purple and mature to a pretty lavender-blue.
Fujimusume
Clear blue blooms up to 7" across grow on vines 6' to 8' high.
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Countess of Wessex™
Very pale pink to white flowers bloom freely on on 3' to 4' vines. |
Overwintering Container Clematis
Most clematis are hardy in zones 4-9. However, when growing plants in containers, you'll need to subtract two zones. In other words, a clematis that's rated hardy to zone 4 is only hardy to zone 6 if it's growing in a container. That's because the soil mass in a container is relatively small and the soil will freeze through more readily than the soil around in-ground plants. Also, alternating freeze/thaw cycles can heave plants out the soil and damage roots.
As cold weather approaches, move the container to a sheltered location. You can put it in an unheated garage, or tuck it up close to a building away from wind and winter sun. The goal is to keep the plant in its dormant phase, so avoid warm spots that could trigger it to start growing. Surround the pot with insulation, such as straw or a special plant wrap is helpful.
Related Article: How to Grow Clematis
