CLEMATIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1940, Page 9

CLEMATIS

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERING PLANT. The clematis is a beautiful flowering plant with which to cover a pillar, arch or pergola. It grows best in a sunny position, but the roots and lower part of the stem should be in the shade. The base of a low south wall is an ideal situation, where the top half of the plant would get plenty of sunshine and the lower part would be shaded. Rich soil is needed. First remove the 1 top spit and place it on one side of the hole, then remove the second, spit, keeping it on the other side of the hole. Dig in plenty of well-rotted manure and. mix it well with the soil in the bottom of the hole, which should be at least four feet in diameter. Replace the soil from the second spit .and mix in a further supply of manure. Replace the top soil and, if it lack humus, add a little leafmould. If the soil is heavy, sand, road sweepings, grit or well-de-cayed vegetation can be added. Do not plant the slematls until the soil has settled. When the plant is received, remove it from the pot. It may be necessary to break the pot to avoid damaging the roots. Immerse the roots in water for two or three hours until the old soil is washed out, then, disentangle the roots carefully. When taking the plant to its permanent position, do not carry it by its stem or the root system may snap off at the junction. Remove sufficient soil from the prepared position to allow the roots being spread out. Replace the soil and tread firmly. If the clematis is to grow up the side of a house, do not plant it too close to the wall, because the soil, will dry out quickly. Make the hole for planting a shoft distance from the wall and dig a shallow trench from the hole to the wall. After planting, lay the stem along the trench and cover with soil. Roots will grow from the submerged stem and create what is known as a layer root system, with beneficial results to the plant.