How to Grow Nelly Moser Clematis

The Nelly Moser clematis is a large-flowered hybrid. It blooms in the middle of June on shorts stems from the growth of the year before. This clematis blooms again in the late summer months, although these blooms are often smaller. The Nelly Moser grows to heights of 8 feet and its pale rosy mauve blooms reach 8 inches in diameter. Prune the clematis in February or March to the topmost, large green buds.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• Pruning shears
• Arbor, pergola or other type of support
• Protective collar
• Fertilizer with 3:1:2 or 4:1:2 ratio

1. Test the soil before planting the Nelly Moser clematis. It does best in well-drained soil with a pH near 7.0. Add phosphorous if necessary.
2. Plant the Nelly Moser in an area where it receives partial shade throughout the day or in an eastern exposure. Large-flowered hybrids like the Nelly Moser, Hagley Hybrid and Hybrida Sieboldiana fade badly with too much direct sunlight.
3. Cut the stems of your Nelly Moser with pruning shears so that they are no taller than 12 inches. Place it into the soil so that the crown is 1 or 2 inches below the soil surface. Fill in the area with the backfill and water the plant well.
4. Add some types of support for the clematis while it grows unless it is in an area where it can scramble over small trees, walls, shrubs or is used as ground cover. Arbors and pergolas work well for the large-flowered varieties.
5. Purchase a protective collar that will guard the plant from animals, weed trimmers or lawn mowers. You can use chicken wire or hardware cloth. Place it around the base of the plant.
6. Underplant the area around the clematis with a ground cover or perennial that has a shallow root system. Clematis thrive with a cool root environment and underplanting provides this. You can also use a layer of mulch that is 2 inches deep.
7. Wait patiently for the growth during the first season. They grow slowly and may have only a few or no blooms. This is a time when the Nelly Moser establishes its roots.
8. Fertilize the clematis during the first year to help establish the root system. It is rarely necessary after the first year. Use a 3:1:2 or 4:1:2 ratio fertilizer.
9. Water the plant weekly to help establish the plant. It needs 1 inch per week either through irrigation or rainfall.

Tips & Warnings

• When planting clematis with bare roots, soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour. This fully hydrates the plant and helps it to establish itself quickly.

• Avoid planting clematis near large trees; they do not grow well in these areas.