Clematis
The clematis is a popular vine as they produce a stunning array of flowers and the smaller varieties are often scented.  This flowering vine does need a degree of care but will reward you for this attention.

Planting.
Location, location, location is a factor in establishing a healthy plant so you must choose your position carefully.  The soils needs to be free-draining and on the limey side, so correct this if needed and incorporating a good, rich compost into the soil is a good start for any plant.  Continuing to mulch with compost twice a year will ensure that this climber obtains enough energy to produce an abundance of flowers and new growth.
Obviously as it is a climber, the Clematis needs a good strong supportive structure that will guide it as well as hold its weight. Whether it be a fence, an arbor or a trellis, construct this in its entirety so you don’t upset the vine’s root system at a later date. A position in the sun is optimal but remember the sensitivity of the clematis root system, and be sure to mulch around the base or plant a good groundcover to act as a “sunscreen”.

Pruning.
Pruning the vine back initially will encourage a strong root system to take hold, and removing diseased areas is logical.  Shaping your vine regularly is advised but as its growth is moderately fast but not rampant it should be easy to maintain a tidy plant.  A heavier prune to strengthen the whole plant can be undertaken every couple of years.

Most flowering vines respond to some restriction so pruning is vital!  Left to their own devices, they can become quite rampant and actually flower less prolifically.  Vines can become quite heavy and over time may start to burden any support framework you have used.  This is O.K if it’s an old piece of trellis, but not so good if it’s your pergola!  If we take the beautiful Wisteria as an example: it pays to prune this vine in the summer, cut back all new shoots so that you are left with 3-4 leaves from its starting point (the buds at the base are next year’s flowers).  You can do this throughout the summer, controlling the straggly green shoots, to redirect the plants energy into bud-making, not just an abundance of leaves.   If you have been neglectful in the pruning area, an initial aggressive winter prune will set you up for those summer prunes.  Wisterias are quite forgiving so you can prune them into shape without hesitancy.

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