The Propagation of Clematis

Clematis, a member of the Ranunculaceae family, includes over 250 species and many hybrids. Most varieties are woody, deciduous vines, but some evergreen and a few herbaceous varieties exist. Clematis survive for 25 years or more when well tended. In the summer, they are covered with blooms, producing up to 100 flowers per plant.

Cuttings

• Clematis cuttings take root from softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. Take cuttings from new growth in the spring to mid-summer. Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and plant in moist media. Small-flower varieties root in three to four weeks; large-flowered varieties take longer to root, possibly several months.

Seeds

• Collect fresh clematis seeds in the fall and plant them in the ground as soon as possible. Clematis seeds need cold weather to germinate. When planting in pots or warm environments, store the seeds at 39 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately three months before planting, then hold them at 70 degrees until germinated.

Layering

• Some Clematis species propagate by layering. Choose a healthy mature stem produced in the same season. Make a slight cut on the underside in the fall, near a node. Bury the cut portion of the stem in soil or a mixture of sand and peat. Anchor it so that it stays in direct contact with soil. The new plant takes approximately a year to become fully rooted and established.

Root Division

• Divide mature Clematis to produce new plants. Dig up a large, established plant and divide the root system into several smaller plants. Re-plant the divisions.