Monty Don says clematis will bloom in summer with 1 task done now
The gardening expert has one tip to ensure the pretty flower thrives
When in full bloom, Clematis produce beautiful, eye-catching, shaped flowers. Their striking appearance has made them popular across the world, however gardening genius Monty Don said there is one way to guarantee the blossom-filled climbers will grow bigger next year.
Originating in Japan and China, there are over 350 different kinds of clematis flowers globally, include everything from the dainty alpine clematis to the alien furry-looking old man's beard. Many varieties of clematis are relatively easy to grow is sunny conditions. They require either full or partial sun – though they may not flower as well in shadier areas.
The most common cause of a clematis failing to bloom is unsuitable growing conditions. Clematis need a moisture retentive but well-drained soil. The roots need to be kept cool and shaded, but growth and flowering will be impaired if the top of the plant is kept in deep shade.
They're also classified as perennial plants, which means they grow back year after year. Monty Don said the best way to give your clematis a boost is to spread compost over the soil, reports the Mirror.
Compost typically contains a healthy mix of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus which are necessary for plant growth.
Writing in his blog, Monty said: "The secret of making it reasonable quickly is to have a good mix of matter high in nitrogen (green) like grass clippings and drier material (brown) that is high in carbon and then to aerate it often by turning it."
He adds that this doesn't have to be 'a major operation'. He advises that simply forking through the compost will help spread air through it.
The main objective is to spread oxygen through the heap. This will feed the bacteria that eat the decomposing material and convert it into compost.
Monty adds that it will enrich your soil with essential bacteria, fungi and nutrients. He describes it as being 'better than any product known to man.'
If you're not sure what to put in your compost pile, then looking around your kitchen is a great place to start. Many common food scraps can be used to make a great fertiliser.
One popular option is to use banana peel. Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps prompt plant growth. Once they break down, these nutrients are easily accessible to plants.
Another tip is to use fallen leaves that are lying around your garden. This leftover debris is actually full of nutrients, like carbon.
Plus, if you have a dog or cat at home, don't throw out their hair. While it may seem like a weird tip, hair is actually incredibly rich in nitrogen and makes great plant food.
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