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#1
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Is there a need to cover clematis roots?
I've often wondered where this advice came from. I can't see that it
would make any difference - once the clematis starts growing it creates its own shade anyway. In the "Illustrated History of Gardening" (1884 - 1888) there is no mention of a need to cover the roots. But the answer may be in "Cassell's Dictionary of Gardening" (1913). Here it notes "The Clematis is subject in some gardens to a disease which causes it to die off. This appears to be caused by an unknown constituent in the soil in these gardens, but in some where the clematis has previously failed it has been found that then plants will grow satisfactorily if the lower portions of the stems are shaded from the sun by other plants. This is worthy of a trial in gardens where the plant has hitherto been lost". So to get round clematis wilt (assuming that is what the article is referring to), one suggestion was to shade the lower part of the plant. We now, of course, use "maximum shading" by burying the plant much more deeply than normal! If that is the explanation for generally shading the roots, it is interesting how it has become corrupted and expanded to cover (no pun intended) clematis planting generally. -- Jeff |
#2
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Is there a need to cover clematis roots?
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2012-11-20 11:28:05 +0000, Jeff Layman said: I've often wondered where this advice came from. I can't see that it would make any difference - once the clematis starts growing it creates its own shade anyway. In the "Illustrated History of Gardening" (1884 - 1888) there is no mention of a need to cover the roots. But the answer may be in "Cassell's Dictionary of Gardening" (1913). Here it notes "The Clematis is subject in some gardens to a disease which causes it to die off. This appears to be caused by an unknown constituent in the soil in these gardens, but in some where the clematis has previously failed it has been found that then plants will grow satisfactorily if the lower portions of the stems are shaded from the sun by other plants. This is worthy of a trial in gardens where the plant has hitherto been lost". So to get round clematis wilt (assuming that is what the article is referring to), one suggestion was to shade the lower part of the plant. We now, of course, use "maximum shading" by burying the plant much more deeply than normal! If that is the explanation for generally shading the roots, it is interesting how it has become corrupted and expanded to cover (no pun intended) clematis planting generally. It certainly is interesting because the perceived wisdom is that they require a cool root run, asfaik, hence the shading from shrubs or pieces of stone/slate etc. But according to Ray, a lot of what was once written in books is simply repeated as Gospel until someone goes "hang on a minute......why?"! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ I agree, oft repeated, never explained so useless information. Clematis like a moist root run so if they are planted in a sunny hot spot then yes shading the roots will help. otherwise its not needed, indeed I am not a fan of stones as they just provide B&B accommodation for snails and slugs! I much prefer a good mulch. However with the hybrid clematis they do benefit from deeper planting, this achieves two things, first the deeper you go the damper the soil generally speaking. Second, by planting deeply you will have buried dormant buds in the leaf axils, since the buried stems will root this results in the potential to make more stems if something should happen to the top growth, and of course in many cases something will happen to the top as you are going to cut it down in winter! The fungus that can cause Clematis wilt is air not soil born and deep planting does not in any way stop plants from getting wilt, but it does greatly improve the chances of recovery if a plant does wilt as the below ground parts are safe from infection and there are more dormant buds that can regrow, 100% of wilted clematis will try and regrow, sadly their attempts are not always noticed as slugs or snails mow the new growth off as fast as it comes and the plant eventually gives up. Most cases of Clematis wilt have nothing to do with any fungal agent and are caused by something damaging the stems, wind and snails are two common causes but dog wee, husbands with strimmers, voles - the list sadly goes on! -- Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall Holders of National Collections of Clematis viticella and Lapageria rosea cvs http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk |
#3
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Is there a need to cover clematis roots?
On 20/11/2012 17:28, Charlie Pridham wrote:
"Sacha" wrote in message ... On 2012-11-20 11:28:05 +0000, Jeff Layman said: I've often wondered where this advice came from. I can't see that it would make any difference - once the clematis starts growing it creates its own shade anyway. In the "Illustrated History of Gardening" (1884 - 1888) there is no mention of a need to cover the roots. But the answer may be in "Cassell's Dictionary of Gardening" (1913). Here it notes "The Clematis is subject in some gardens to a disease which causes it to die off. This appears to be caused by an unknown constituent in the soil in these gardens, but in some where the clematis has previously failed it has been found that then plants will grow satisfactorily if the lower portions of the stems are shaded from the sun by other plants. This is worthy of a trial in gardens where the plant has hitherto been lost". So to get round clematis wilt (assuming that is what the article is referring to), one suggestion was to shade the lower part of the plant. We now, of course, use "maximum shading" by burying the plant much more deeply than normal! If that is the explanation for generally shading the roots, it is interesting how it has become corrupted and expanded to cover (no pun intended) clematis planting generally. It certainly is interesting because the perceived wisdom is that they require a cool root run, asfaik, hence the shading from shrubs or pieces of stone/slate etc. But according to Ray, a lot of what was once written in books is simply repeated as Gospel until someone goes "hang on a minute......why?"! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ I agree, oft repeated, never explained so useless information. Clematis like a moist root run so if they are planted in a sunny hot spot then yes shading the roots will help. otherwise its not needed, indeed I am not a fan of stones as they just provide B&B accommodation for snails and slugs! I much prefer a good mulch. However with the hybrid clematis they do benefit from deeper planting, this achieves two things, first the deeper you go the damper the soil generally speaking. Second, by planting deeply you will have buried dormant buds in the leaf axils, since the buried stems will root this results in the potential to make more stems if something should happen to the top growth, and of course in many cases something will happen to the top as you are going to cut it down in winter! The fungus that can cause Clematis wilt is air not soil born and deep planting does not in any way stop plants from getting wilt, but it does greatly improve the chances of recovery if a plant does wilt as the below ground parts are safe from infection and there are more dormant buds that can regrow, 100% of wilted clematis will try and regrow, sadly their attempts are not always noticed as slugs or snails mow the new growth off as fast as it comes and the plant eventually gives up. Most cases of Clematis wilt have nothing to do with any fungal agent and are caused by something damaging the stems, wind and snails are two common causes but dog wee, husbands with strimmers, voles - the list sadly goes on! Oh, well, that's one myth I will no longer repeat! I'd completely missed the slug/snail problem when using stones; that's a good point, Charlie. In future I will sum up the planting of clematis with "plant deeply in moist soil and water well in hot or dry weather. A mulch will help". -- Jeff |
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