Dig into the world of clematis for a big payoff in the garden

Picture a clematis in your mind.

It doesn’t take Carnac the Magnificent to know what you thought of: bold blooms the size of a salad plate growing on a vine that tumbles over a fence.

Although that is a good visual of a clematis, it is but one, and I think you should set it aside because there are so many great clematis to grow that are easier and, if I’m playing favorites, just better.

Exchange bigger, early flowers that bloom in late May to June for more, smaller flowers and you’ll unlock a world of vines that you can grow in places beyond fences and trellises.

Even better, these small-flowered varieties are not susceptible to the fungal disease known as clematis wilt that can turn the stems of early, large-flowering varieties into a sad, brown mess in a matter of days.

And if the overly complicated pruning guidelines for clematis leave you flummoxed, fear no more: The smaller-flowering varieties are no-brainers. Since they flower on new growth, which comes fast and furious in spring, you can simply cut them down to 6 to 12 inches in late winter or early spring as buds start to swell. Or, if you want flowers to bloom higher, perhaps because you’ve planted it to grow through a tree, you can cut it to 2 or 3 feet off the ground. Either way, it’s not a delicate operation that requires skill.

In southeastern Wisconsin, the Viticella group of small-flowering clematis is an excellent bet, since other types, including the Montana and Alpina groups, are often questionably cold hardy here. All are sun-loving plants, but many can be pushed into part sun with a small sacrifice in blooms.

Because of the easy pruning regimen for these clematis, they can be grown through shrubs and small trees with a little bit of low staking to point them in the right direction. Not only does this extend the interest of the shrub beyond it’s own flowering period, it also has the rather amusing side benefit of confusing the occasional garden visitor who can’t quite place the light blue flowers that belong to ‘Prince Charles’ clematis as they pop out of a hydrangea.

Shorter, non-vining clematis from the Integrifolia and Diversifolia groups also make excellent scramblers that intermingle with other perennials or annuals. Hudson River, ’Arabella’ and ‘Sapphire Indigo’ excel at this in my garden.

Those same types can also be given some low support to be grown more like semi-upright perennials. A good variety for this is the blue-flowering ‘Stand by Me’ and its pink and lavender cousins in the series.

Once you dig into the world of clematis that goes well beyond the large-flowering varieties of grandma’s garden, the choices can be overwhelming. One way to narrow down a selection is the International Clematis Society’s “Recommended Clematis” list at www.clematisinternational.com.

“Narrowing down” a list is the best case scenario. Once you try growing these easy-care, big-payoff clematis, you’re bound to be back for more.