Can I grow clematis in a pot outside to grow on my trellis? - Ask Extension
Hello! My deck has a trellis on one side and I want to grow vines on it for privacy from our neighbors. Do you think it would work to grow clematis in...
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Can I grow clematis in a pot outside to grow on my trellis? #865242
Asked April 20, 2024, 3:36 PM EDT
Hello! My deck has a trellis on one side and I want to grow vines on it for privacy from our neighbors. Do you think it would work to grow clematis in a pot and train it to climb the trellis? When I research this, I feel overwhelmed by the types of clematis and conflicting information on potting and soil needs. If it is a good idea to grow it here, how big a pot do I need and what kind of soil is best?
If you don't think clematis is a good idea here, what do you recommend for privacy? Thank you!
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello; Thanks for submitting your garden and landscaping questions to the University of Maryland Ask Extension Service.
Growing plants in containers in our area particularly perennials, vines, shrubs or trees, has its challenges. To summarize, one has to water plants almost every day during the growing season particularly in the summer being careful not to overwater. During the winter, plants and pots may not survive freezing and thawing that could kill plants and break terra-cotta and thin ceramic pots.
See this webpage from the university of Georgia about container gardening: https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C787&title=gardening-in-containers.
Clematis plants are pretty tough and will likely survive the winter in plastic troughs or large containers larger than 14" in diameter. See this NC State Extension webpage about clematis: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/clematis/
You might want to think of vines in general that could grow to fill the trellis. See this UMd Extension webpage on growing vines: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/vines/
And finally, you might want to think way outside of the box with your quest to obtain privacy and utilize your trellis: using tall ornamental grasses or perennials [example amsonia blue star], planted in containers, or (perish the thought) utilizing inexpensive flower-like or vine-like alternatives from art-deco or five & dime stores that are long-lasting but require minimal care and attention.
And to your last question about potting soils, see this UMd Extension webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-media-potting-soil-containers/.
I hope I've given you enough information to help answer your questions. Good luck in your gardening adventures. Thanks; Christopher
Growing plants in containers in our area particularly perennials, vines, shrubs or trees, has its challenges. To summarize, one has to water plants almost every day during the growing season particularly in the summer being careful not to overwater. During the winter, plants and pots may not survive freezing and thawing that could kill plants and break terra-cotta and thin ceramic pots.
See this webpage from the university of Georgia about container gardening: https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C787&title=gardening-in-containers.
Clematis plants are pretty tough and will likely survive the winter in plastic troughs or large containers larger than 14" in diameter. See this NC State Extension webpage about clematis: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/clematis/
You might want to think of vines in general that could grow to fill the trellis. See this UMd Extension webpage on growing vines: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/vines/
And finally, you might want to think way outside of the box with your quest to obtain privacy and utilize your trellis: using tall ornamental grasses or perennials [example amsonia blue star], planted in containers, or (perish the thought) utilizing inexpensive flower-like or vine-like alternatives from art-deco or five & dime stores that are long-lasting but require minimal care and attention.
And to your last question about potting soils, see this UMd Extension webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-media-potting-soil-containers/.
I hope I've given you enough information to help answer your questions. Good luck in your gardening adventures. Thanks; Christopher
Dear Christopher,
Thank you so very much for all of the information about growing clematis! You have given me hope that if I treat it well, I can grow it on my trellis.
I have three followup questions regarding the container I should use, that I didn’t see in the links you provided.
1. Do you think it would work if I use a rectangular container that is greater than 14 inches in length, but not width? Specifically, I’m looking at something like this one that has inner dimensions of 36”x13”: https://wearevita.com/products/urbana-greens-elevated-garden?variant=<personal data hidden>782
2. Do you think a depth of 12.5” is enough or should that be 14 inches minimum too?
3. The container I’m looking at and linked to is elevated. Is that a really bad idea for having the clematis survive winter? I’m thinking about how bridges freeze more easily in winter because of the airflow underneath, but maybe I’m way overthinking this.
I really appreciate your help! Thank you in advance!
Best,
Lara
On Apr 22, 2024, at 10:52 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hello again; Let's experiment with one clematis in the pot that you are referring to. The length and depth of your rectangular trough are OK but the width of 13" is of concern because of freezing temperatures. Your container should be plastic or a resin type trough, you should wrap the container containing your clematis using plastic bubble wrap, tarp, or enclose it with a thick layer of straw or other insulation to keep the container from cracking.
Check for watering using your finger as a gauge to determine if the soil in your trough needs watering. If the soil feels cold/damp with your finger then don't water, but if it feels dry then give your trough some water. It gets dicey in hot weather as that is when plants need to be watered frequently. Withered plants will recover if underwatered but generally not when overwatered.
Follow potting soil recommendations given in the information sources that I sent to you earlier. Your clematis should work fine. If your initial plant trial goes well then you could add maybe two more clematis plants to your trough/trellis. And some varieties of clematis are re-bloomers that can extend flowering color at different times during the summer. Good luck. Thanks; Christopher
Check for watering using your finger as a gauge to determine if the soil in your trough needs watering. If the soil feels cold/damp with your finger then don't water, but if it feels dry then give your trough some water. It gets dicey in hot weather as that is when plants need to be watered frequently. Withered plants will recover if underwatered but generally not when overwatered.
Follow potting soil recommendations given in the information sources that I sent to you earlier. Your clematis should work fine. If your initial plant trial goes well then you could add maybe two more clematis plants to your trough/trellis. And some varieties of clematis are re-bloomers that can extend flowering color at different times during the summer. Good luck. Thanks; Christopher
