Growing Non-Vining Clematis – Clump-Forming Varieties

Culture for Non-Vining Clematis

Light/Soil: Full sun or partial shade (afternoon shade required in the South). Evenly moist but well-drained garden soil.

These clematis have an upright, clump-forming habit rather than climbing. Provide support with twiggy branches inserted near the crown in early spring, or use grow-through supports (like those for peonies). Alternatively, let them ramble onto neighboring plants or along the ground or stone walls.

Pruning and Feeding

Prune back to 6–12 inch stems in very early spring, cutting just above a pair of healthy buds. Hard pruning yields later but more profuse blooms. Fertilize once in early spring with an all-purpose or time-release fertilizer. Like climbing clematis, these want cool roots—plant lower-growing companions to shade the root zone rather than heavy mulching.