Gardening is a favorite pastime of many people around the world. Amateurs living in countries with a mild climate often do not even realize the difficulties that their colleagues from cold places have to face.
In particular, they know nothing about how to harbor clematis for the winter. In fairness, it should be noted that even our gardeners are far from always aware of this, which is why their green economy is getting smaller from year to year.
Therefore, today we will analyze the most effective and relatively simple methods. But before that, we note in advance that the methods of shelter differ depending on their trim.
First option
The first type includes those clematis that bloom on last year's shoots. This means that it is their whips that need to be preserved at all costs in the cold season. How to harbor clematis of this type for the winter ?
Unfortunately, in this case it all depends solely on the winter hardiness of the variety you are using. If you plan to grow these flowers in frosty regions, select the appropriate "breed" in advance.
To minimize the possible negative consequences of cold winters, you can spud the lower part of the bushes by 30-40 cm using dry foliage or peat. Even in the case of an extremely cold winter, the bush will be able to recover from the root neck.
Second option
And how to hide clematis that belong to the second group for the winter? It includes varieties with unsatisfactory resistance to frost, blooming on the shoots of both the current and last vegetation season. Their shelter should be approached with maximum responsibility.
Before the onset of frost, you need to cut the lashes at a height of about a meter, unravel them, trying not to damage or break rather fragile shoots.
The base of the bush is also covered with a layer of foliage (all the same 30-40 cm), and the lashes are folded into a ring, laid along this mound, after which they are also sprinkled with foliage or peat. From above, this structure is covered with roofing paper or special material from shops for gardeners.
Third option
How to cover clematis of the third varietal group for the winter? In fact, in this case, everything is as simple as possible. The fact is that this group includes those varieties that bloom only on the shoots of the current growing season. Naturally, too responsible approach to their shelter does not make sense.
Before covering this type of clematis, its lashes are simply cut at a height of 15-20 cm, after which a mound of 30-40 cm is poured over the root neck. No further measures are required.
Regardless of which method of shelter you used, after the onset of stable warm weather, you need to rake a mound above the root neck, trying not to damage the fragile plant.
And further! In no case do not forget about rodents! These small and gluttonous pests are capable of destroying all your flowers, and therefore, near the lashes covered for the winter, it will not hurt to scatter poisoned baits.
Here it is, clematis. Care for the winter will allow you to always keep your garden flowering and beautiful.