Covering and preparing clematis for winter in the Moscow region

There's a wide variety of garden vines around the world, but clematis deserves special attention. They are characterized by surprisingly large flowers, graceful shoots, and vibrant green foliage that sets them apart from other garden plants. However, when growing clematis, it's important to understand all the stages of clematis care. Preparing for winter is the most important of these.

General information

Clematis's stunning appearance can rival even rose bushes, orchids, and other lush flowers. However, many gardeners avoid planting this vine for a simple reason: She is too capricious and picky about the conditions of detentionThe main difficulty in growing clematis lies not only in the specific care it requires but also in the need to prepare the plant for winter. For the plant to survive in temperate climates, it requires reliable shelter. This shelter is created taking into account the climate and varietal characteristics of the clematis.

Autumn care and winter preparation are closely interrelated, so preparatory work should begin as early as August. Without adjusting care and taking appropriate measures, this magnificent tree climber will not survive the onset of cold weather.

At the preparatory stage, it is necessary to carry out the following activities:

• At the beginning of August, you should reconsider the soil fertilization regimen, abandoning nitrogen-containing compounds, as well as mineral mixtures containing this element.
• In September, all varieties of vines are fed with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, which promote rapid shoot maturation and the effective development of immunity before winter.
• A couple of weeks before the onset of persistent cold weather with temperatures below 10 degrees, you should begin pruning.

The process of preparing for winter consists of several stages. These include:

1. Trimming.
2. Processing.
3. Insulation.

It's important to carry out these procedures well before the onset of cold weather, preferably in late August or early September. In the fall, the bushes and the surrounding soil are treated with a foundation solution diluted in 10 liters of water, along with wood ash. The soil around the vine is thoroughly loosened to a depth of 15 centimeters, and the bush itself is covered with peat, humus, or compost.

Types of pruning

When exploring the intricacies of preparing clematis for winter, it's important to understand the various types of fall pruning. These procedures are designed to promote normal root development and formation. Depending on the purpose, pruning can be:

• Sanitary - involves cleaning the crop from damaged or dead shoots.
• Formative - used to give shape to the bush, improve metabolic processes and the growth of flower stalks.
• Winter - allows bushes to cope with winter cold and strengthens resistance to freezing.

Pruning such a garden plant in a timely manner will significantly simplify its subsequent preparation for cold weather and protect it from frost. Furthermore, proper pruning is the best way to stimulate the rejuvenation of old shoots. With the arrival of spring, new shoots will emerge from them, on which flower buds will form.

Varietal characteristics

The need for pruning depends on the flowering time and the clematis variety. Winter care, including pruning, follows these principles:

• Plants that bloom only on the current year's growth require comprehensive fall pruning. These include Jackmani, Viticella, and Integrifolia varieties.
• Clematis that bloom on last year's growth don't require formative pruning; instead, they should be cleared of dead, diseased, or rotted branches. When pruning this type of plant, shoots and flower buds should be left for the following season. These plants include vigorous varieties, as well as various forms of mountain, alpine, and golden clematis.
• Varieties that bloom twice a season require little pruning. However, this procedure is essential when preparing for winter. Representatives of the Lanuginosa and Florida groups respond well to pruning.

However, gardeners' opinions on pruning the second and third types of plants differ. On the one hand, there are exceptions among the different groups of clematis, while on the other, most varieties that claim to bloom only on last year's shoots are capable of blooming on both young and overwintered branches.

In any case, all varieties require regular sanitation and removal of dead, diseased, or wilted shoots. Regardless of flowering type and fall pruning, all bushes respond to the following procedures:

• Removing and cleaning up all dry leaves and then destroying them away from the vine.
• Removing dry shoots.
• Removal of damaged branches showing signs of serious diseases, as well as weak or low-yielding shoots.

Pruning techniques for varieties that bloom on the current year's growth differ. For example, representatives of the Viticella or Jackmanii group are pruned to almost the entire length of their above-ground growth. Gardeners should leave only short stumps, just above ground level.

Shelter for the winter

Every caring gardener needs to know how to cover Clematis for winter in the Moscow regionThis procedure has many similarities with covering grapes, the only differences being the timing. Flowers are covered much later than grapevines, typically in late October or early November. Residents of southern regions may even postpone the process until the end of the fall season.

Despite their capricious nature, clematis can tolerate significant temperature drops, but only for short periods. If not covered promptly, exposed shoots will be damaged by frost.

Before insulating, it's necessary to remove excess branches and treat the plant's vines. Gardeners use different insulation methods, each chosen based on a variety of factors. The following options can be used as thermal insulation materials:

• Peat.
• Sawdust.
• Dry leaves.
• Artificial thermal insulators.

Dry soil can be added over the insulating layer, and when snow falls, as much snow cover as possible. However, avoid overly dense insulation, as the plant needs air even in winter. Failure to do so could cause the clematis to wilt and die by spring.

The methods for insulating garden vines depend directly on the variety and the characteristics of flower bud formation. If flowering occurs on last year's shoots, the variety's frost resistance should be considered. Frost-hardy varieties, which can survive the winter without removing their supports, are particularly popular. However, the plant does require hilling in the fall to prevent the roots from freezing during severe frosts. The height of the peat or soil mound should not exceed 40 centimeters. The insulating material used must be dry, otherwise it will rot.

If flower stalks are formed on young or last year's shoots, after pruning, they should be removed from their supports and earthed up. The shoots are carefully rolled into a ring, secured to the soil, and then covered with dry leaves. A layer of lutrasil or agrofibre is also placed on top of the resulting mound.

Young plants

In addition to caring for older plants, every gardener should know how to prepare clematis for winter when it's 1-2 years old. To protect the plant from freezing in open ground, follow these steps:

• With the arrival of autumn, the vines are pruned, leaving only 3-4 buds on the shoots. The intensity of pruning remains the same for all varieties and flower stalk formation methods.
• The bush is covered with branches and plastic wrap to protect it from excess moisture. Beforehand, a mound of soil is piled above it.
• A small young clematis is covered with a large flower pot, on top of which spruce branches, wood shavings or sawdust are placed.

As for specific care for clematis during winter cold, with proper and timely covering, it won't be necessary. However, if temperatures drop critically low and there's no snow, you'll need to cover the bushes with some insulating material, preferably spruce branches or hay.

It's also possible that small rodents, typically mice, may appear under cover. If signs of their activity appear near clematis, scatter seedlings nearby or set mousetraps. Otherwise, the rodents will destroy the healthy flower shoots.

Removing thermal insulation

You can begin removing the covering from the bushes once the warm season returns, even if there's a risk of night frosts returning. The real problem for the plant is excessive moisture or unexpected thaws. These conditions cause the seedlings to rot due to a lack of fresh air. In most cases, the insulating layer is removed in April, but not all at once, only a small portion, continuing the uncovering process until May. Clematis should gradually adapt to the new conditions and begin actively recovering from the winter.

The process of removing the cover occurs in several stages, separated by days. First, open the ventilation openings, ensuring that the air temperature is consistently comfortable. The polyethylene sheeting and the upper part of the insulation can be removed once the weather has become consistently warm, when the risk of overnight frosts or snowfall has been completely eliminated.

But don't rush to remove the earthing layer. The plant needs to fully adapt to the new environment before removing the earthing layer after a couple of days. The remaining soil is removed only after the threat of further frost has passed. Often in the spring, a gardener discovers that the plant didn't survive the winter and has died. However, this doesn't mean you need to dig up the root as quickly as possible, as it's quite possible that in a few years it will recover and produce healthy shoots. This can be facilitated by activating dormant buds.

If the clematis shows no signs of life during the summer, it should be securely insulated for the winter. With the arrival of spring warmth, it may sprout. Some gardeners transplant the clematis to a new location after removing the cover in the spring. The new location should be sunny and shaded, with fertile soil.

Before planting the plant in new soil, it's important to loosen it deeply. This ensures good drainage, which will stimulate productive growth and development. It's essential to install a trellis to provide support for the rapidly growing vine.

Helpful tips

In the spring, clematis requires balanced care to help it recover quickly after a long winter, initiate metabolic processes, and begin forming new shoots. In the spring, the plant should be watered generously and fed with a variety of mineral or organic fertilizers. These should contain plenty of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, as these are essential for foliage growth and rapid growth.

Clematis are among the most beautiful garden flowers, wowing gardeners with their unrivaled beauty and long-lasting blooms. However, like other exotic plants, they are quite demanding and demanding of growing conditions. Therefore, before purchasing seedlings and planting them in a private garden, it's important to ensure their winter hardiness and ability to thrive in temperate climates. Varieties such as 'Leningradsky,' 'Cardinal,' and 'Clematis Beata' are ideal for this climate.

To grow healthy and beautiful clematis in the garden, you need to properly care for them, including pruning, storing them over the winter, opening them in the spring, and so on. This way, the vine will reward the gardener with unrivaled blooms and robust health.