Sun or Shade for Armandii Clematis?

Light is vital for life. For green thumbs, finding the right light to stimulate your plants to grow their healthiest can be a process of trial and error, and clematis armandii plants are no exception. There are over 100 varieties of climbers in the clematis family, and achieving the right balance of sun and shade throughout the day can help bring out their essential beauty. The places that clematis armandii love to grow are often areas of the home or yard where they naturally climb and blossom thanks to the trees, fences or structures upon which they flourish.

Types

• Clematis armandii is commonly referred to as Armand Clematis, and is a climbing plant much like other popular blossoming vines seen around residences, parks and commercial buildings. Clematis plants are often trained and pruned to grown up fences to give added privacy to homes, and are evergreen plants that maintains vibrant blossoms late into the fall.

Location

• Climbing plants that do well on the side of the home or over latticework tend to be in shade for a portion of the day thanks to the structure upon which it is climbing. When planting a new clematis plant, put it in the earth in a spot where it will receive direct sunlight for most of the day. It will need partial shade at times, but more sun makes for more fragrant blossoms and a healthier plant.

Misconceptions

• Clematis plants are available with a rainbow of colorful blossoms to choose from. This has contributed to some of the confusion surrounding the appropriate amount of sunlight to give them. While clematis that have purple and pink blossoms can thrive in shadier conditions, the white-blossoming Armand plant will look radiant the more sun it receives. Clematis plants have been known to change the color of their blossoms year after year if they receive a lot of direct sunlight, and an Armand Clematis will show more of its budding pinks and yellows if they get to enjoy an abundance of sun.

Prevention/Solution

• If your clematis plants are in an area of your yard or garden that is getting too much sunlight or not quite enough, there are a few simple solutions that are available to you. For clematis that is growing on a wall of your home, you can install a small awning or sunshade to allow your plant some shade. Plants that are struggling to get enough sun can be relocated to a sunnier corner of your property, though that may not be worth the hassle. If you love where the plant is growing but need more light, you can paint the nearby walls white or a light hue that will reflect the sunlight back onto the plant. You can also trim back any overhanging tree limbs and branches.

Considerations

• The soil that the clematis is planted in, as well the frequency and amount of watering they receive, is going to have a direct impact on these plants as well. Keep the soil surrounding your clematis in the cool shade. Clematis leaves are naturally suited for this task, and you won’t likely be challenged by it as long as there is no direct midday sun reaching the soil and drying it out.