Clematis

Hi my clematis flowers have come out lovely, but they are all at the top and not the bottom, can someone advise me where I have gone wrong, thanks

 

To get flowers lower down, you need to run the stems horizontally along the trellis in a Z sort of pattern.
Then flowers should appear along the length of the stem.

Flowers will always try to grow at the highest point on a stem and if the stems just go vertically, the top is where the flowers will appear, as yours has.
Going horizontally, there is no top to the stem, so flowers should appear along the stem.

 

Ooh ok, that's good information, I have not grown clematis before, so once the top flowers have died should I re position the stems because I think this clematis flowers twice in a year, I think.

 

Yes, that's something you could do if it's going to flower again this year.

It's worth checking which pruning group yours is in as pruning is vital for good flowering.
It's not difficult, but it varies depending on they type of clematis
Do you know which variety yours is?

 

Hi to be honest I haven't got a clue, these flowers came on about 2 weeks ago, but I am sure they flowered twice last year, and as I said I am really not knowing much about clematis but the flowers are rather big and beautiful

 

If it flowers twice, then it's probably a Group 2 clematis.

Pruning is just keeping it tidy and best done around Feb/March
Remove any weak or damaged stems and prune it to a shape and size that suits you.
Give it a feed (blood fish and bone is good, and cheap) at the same time and a mulch if you have anything suitable and it should be fine.
Good luck

 

Well that's another good bit of advice for me, I will certainly remember the pruning dates, thank you so much for your valuable advice much appreciated

 

Sorry but I'm going to disagree! I think it's more likely to be a Group 3 if it's flowering from June onwards. The 3s can have a spell of flowering, then a rest before coming back again - depending on variety, and there are hundreds and hundreds.. It also depends on location/climate as to when they start flowering.
Group 2s usually start earlier, around early to mid May here where I am, and while they don't need pruning as such, you can tidy them as described, especially after they've flowered, or treat them more like a Group 3 and cut back in late winter/early spring. That will delay flowering and tend to give only one period of flowering.
Certainly, it's often easier with a 3, because you can prune, then have the new growth to tie in horizontally, and that can be harder with a 2 unless you prune it back as a Group 3 to get that softer growth. The mature stems of a Group 2 can often be too brittle and woody to easily weave into a trellis or support.

Either way, feed when they start growing, but hold back on that once buds/flowers appear.

 

Slightly going off the immediate subject I would just mention about the dreaded Clematis wilt issue. I have what is now a substantial Marie Boisselot which for quite some years suffered badly from Clematis wilt much to my annoyance! After trying all sorts of remedies, none of which worked I decided to just let it do its own thing and not prune it at all! Bingo, since leaving it to get on with it not a sign of Clematis wilt. This may just be a coincidence but perhaps if others have Clematis likewise suffering just let it be and perhaps those too will get stronger and fight off the infection without our sometimes less than helpful interventions!

 

Yes - some are more susceptible to it @hailbopp , and they still can't get to the bottom of what causes it.
I thought I'd lost C. Niobe a few years ago [ which I've grown in several gardens] to wilt. It came back this year, and has been great. The main problems here are keeping them dry enough, and the slugs. I have to plant them right up against fences/walls, and even then, in improved soil, some struggle. I've now decided they're going in their own raised beds or containers if they struggle at all.
The slugs regularly do the pruning of the Group 3s...