Clematis questions

So now I've got these clematis vines I've bought which I have not much clue about apart from what google can tell me.
My mother is who I usually go to for gardening advice. She suggested clematis to cover the fences and then I find out she has never grown it before. She wants to see how mine turn out! They must grow well here I've seen a few around the town.

I have Brother Cadfael to be trained against a fence and a Ville de Lyon clematis to grow next to it. How far apart should I plant them? And how much trellis space should I allow width ways?
Also would it work ok to plant clematis next to a pandorea vine ?

Cheers.

I think I can help here - well I hope I can.
A friend of Rosemeadows, Lynnette has fantastic ones growing round her verandas amonst climbing roses. She has wires strung along between the posts to train both plants along. They look wonderful. The roses give the Clematis support and allow them to trail there way along and the bed of all sorts of other plants underneath keep their roots cool.
Rosemeadow can tell you a lot more and maybe she has some pics of them at Lynnettes. I dont think we have.
We have a couple that we will be putting along our veranda. They like their heads in the sun but their feet kept cool. You can put mulch over the roots to keep them cool.
I think they would grow wonderfully along a fence.

Hi,
I have clematis amongst my climbing roses on my rosewalk. They look great.
The only thing is that each year I'm tempted to cut the dead foliage and then I remember - DON'T - it sprouts out againnext season.
Barbara B

A pandorea will take over your world... just a warning! You may need a machete - we do!! Personally, I would consider them too vigourous near roses or clematis. I've had to be ruthless before they detach the guttering... then the iron on the verandah....!!
(They do look spectacular though!)

Thanks I was wondering if the pandorea would swallow anything next to it. It is currently still a little thing but I have heard they can be quite vigorous. Hopefully is not too bad in part shade. I think I will keep the clematis with the roses then.

I am very interested in growing Clematis, but as it is pretty hot up here but no hotter than Adelaide I would suspect.
I can certainly give them some Roses on Trellises & Fences to travel through, but will they take over if successful. I can give them cool feet, & their heads in the sun. But what about the humidity & rain. I am up for trying them but as I have not grown them before does anyone have any suggestions on hardy varieties. I do grow other things in my Cottage Garden that others said I couldn't, so if it is not too much of a risk to outlay some money I will.
Happy Gardening.

I don't know about the humidity, but remember their roots like to be cool but not soggy!! When you first plant your clematis, they like lots of water, but really good drainage.
Also sprinkle superphosphate on the surface of the soil st this time. When the clematis is established, feed with the same in Spring and again in June. They will love you for it!

Thanks for the info. I will give them a go next year when I am ordering my new plants for the garden. I don't like to plant here to much after October. Also I am going into hospital in the next couple of weeks so don't need anymore plants for my husband to have to look after.
Cheers.

Good luck Dianne. Hey, .... buy a few new plants..... it will give your husband something to do!! LOL

Good luck and all the best for your hospital stay Dianne. I'm sure your beautiful garden is a healing force.

Yes, my garden is so special to me as I have been quite ill for a few years on & off, I could not live without it or my wonderful husband who has his own business and works from home. Probably wishes sometimes that he was miles away when I just can't fill another watering can & call him with my plees. I am praying for rain today, as we have not seen any for at least 2 mths though I know others are undergoing worst conditions than us.
Thanks for your well wishes.

I had a Pandorea and after only one year it was enormous , even with regular trimming , impossible to control , definately best for the forest floor , but a lovely looking plant , i pulled mine out just in time i think , this plant was seriously scary lol !!

Regarding the cutting back of Clematis - I have found one that says cut back to ground level in Winter. Do some need cutting back and some not.
Barbara B you say you remind yourself not to cut the dead foliage off, does that mean you don't cut your Clematis back at all, or when do you.
I have ordered a book called 'The Rose and The Clematis Good Companions' by John Howells, got it at a great price. It should be lovely as I understand there are so many good pictures in it. So maybe I will get inspired.
Happy Gardening.

What a Fabulous Book, the photos are just Beautiful and the information great. It even helps you with teaming up with colours. The author also has another 2 books. I will have to check them out. I would recommend this publication.

There are three groups of Clematis , and you prune them according to those groups , groups 1,2,3. I have just planted 2 group 3 clematis , and these ones you cut back every year , they are ideal with climbing roses as you can prune them both at the same time , they grow on new wood , the other two groups grow on old wood as i understand it . Your rose is best to be in the ground 12 months before you plant the clematis to let the roots establish as clematis have bigger roots than roses , leave some space between the two plants and train the clematis over to the rose with some sticks . I planted two a few years ago and thought they were dead and pulled them out only to read that they go dormant in the winter , lots to learn about these plants as the 3 groups can differ a lot ...

Thank You Maree, you have given me food for thought. I look forward to planting a couple next year, not sure if the weather will like them up here. I will keep the roots cool and keep my fingers crosses.

We have never had any success except for the native one with the little white flowers. Tried putting rocks over the roots etc but I think it is just too humid for them up here.

Thanks again Balinbear