How do you grow Clematis properly?

Question

I have 5 Clematis plants on trellises in the back of my home. They get full sun facing south and I mulch them to keep the roots cool. In the spring I fertilize with a 10-10-10 and give them a bit of lime. But alas, they grow no more than 4 or 5 feet high and might have 5 or 6 blooms on them.

Answer 1

Different species and varieties of Clematis have varied growing needs.  Some are fine in full sun, others are better with some more shade.

You've done the right thing to mulch the roots, which helps keep them moist and cool too.

If you can research which types of Clematis you have, posting it here, then I'll happily give you some more information relating to those types.    

With reference to your feeding and mentioning that they have limited flowering, I would probably get a fertiliser that has a bias towards Potassium - the 'K' in the N:P:K fertilizer ration, seen on packets -it's thus the last of the 3 measurements shown.  So whereas you now have a 10:10:10,  something like 12:12:18, would have a higher Potassium concentration, the key factor here is a higher proportion of K.   Clematis can be heavy feeders,  and it is likely to be really beneficial if you feed throught most of the growing season - though I'm guessing that you have a slow release fertiliser just now, which should feed for several months.  Consider swapping this out for a regular feeding, with a high Potassium fertilizer.  Otherwise you could supplement with something like Potassium Sulphate (Sulphate of Potash), which will increase this nutrients availability.

Also,  water your plants really well, as they are thirsty plants!   Use some fully rotted animal manure or compost as your mulch, which will give sustained nutrient release too.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob