Plants and Profits: Clematis

Suggest clematis when customers ask for . . .

• Something for an English- or cottage-style garden
• A well-behaved vine to dress up a decorative obelisk or post
• Something to hide/disguise an old tree stump or chain-link fence
• A plant that works well in the front of a perennial border
• Something that can be used as an unusual cut flower

The Story
Currently there are more than 300 recognized species of clematis found all over the world. The stereotypical clematis is a climbing vine with large colorful flowers, usually appearing in mid-summer. These are usually known as the “large flowered hybrids,” and there are, by conservative estimates, more than 700 cultivars available. Most of the species have small flowers, many of which are bell shaped and nodding. Hardiness can vary, but specimens will typically thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. Culture and history information courtesy of Plant Publicity Holland. Read more at PerennialandNurseryNews.com.

Display and marketing possibilities

• Show that clematis doesn’t have to be on a trellis. Cross merchandise with complementary large shrubs or small    trees that this vine can cling to.
• Include some scrambling or trailing clematis with your groundcover offerings.
• Use select clematis varieties as the “spiller” in container gardens.
• Create a display showing clematis climbing a mailbox post. (And put informational handouts in the mailbox itself!)
• Use clematis in a vignette showing plants for an urban-balcony retreat.