What Your Clematis Needs in July to Survive Extreme Heat – and Produce More Flowers Later This Summer
These flowering vines need some extra attention in hot weather
In the intense July heat we're experiencing, our plants need a little extra love. This is especially true for climbers like clematis which quickly lose water and fade without the right summer care.
Growing a clematis is highly rewarding, looking beautiful on a pergola, fence, or trellis. But, in summer heat and sun, it's important to keep this flowering vine hydrated, provide just the right amount of shade, and do some light pruning to encourage repeat blooms – having these Fiskars micro snips from Amazon to hand is helpful for quick deadheading.
So, if your clematis is starting to look a little tired, keep reading. Here's exactly what to do with clematis in July to help it through a heatwave and keep it looking good for several more weeks.
1. Water Deeply
When it comes to watering plants in hot weather, there are a few key tips to follow. This includes deeply watering your clematis to properly hydrate its roots, which don't cope well with drought.
'Clematis does best with consistent moisture, especially when newly planted,' says Rachel Bull, Homes & Gardens' Head of Gardens. 'Deep watering not only ensures roots stay hydrated, it also encourages roots to dig deeper in the soil for moisture, resulting in a more robust root system that can cope better with dry spells,' she explains.
You should avoid splashing foliage when watering your clematis, using a watering can (like this beautiful metal one from Walmart) to target the base. This will prevent issues like leaf scorch and powdery mildew.
It's also best to water early in the morning to protect your plants from a heatwave, as this allows them to soak up moisture before the heat of the day arrives. Watering in the middle of the day results in water quickly evaporating before the roots can soak it up.
You should use a soil moisture meter (like this one from Amazon) to check your clematis soil a couple of times a week. When the top 2-4 inches of soil have dried out, it's time to top up water levels.
Rachel is a gardening editor, floral designer, flower grower and gardener. Her journalism career began 17 years ago on Country Living magazine, sparking a love of container gardening and wild planting. After more than a decade writing for and editing a range of consumer, business and special interest titles, Rachel became editor of floral art magazine The Flower Arranger. She then trained and worked professionally as a floral designer and stylist for six years, and has created floral installations at iconic venues. She joined the Homes & Gardens team in 2023, where she heads up the Gardens section, and presents the weekly gardening and floristry social series Petals & Roots.
2. Keep the Roots Cool
'One thing that makes summer clematis care so particular is the fact its roots want different conditions to the vines,' says Rachel.
'The foliage and flowers enjoy direct sun, but you should keep clematis roots cool and shaded. If roots are baking in the sun, they'll dry out too quickly and dehydrate,' she explains.
There are a few things you can do to regulate soil temperature for your clematis in July. This includes mulching with organic material like this brown mulch from Lowe's.
Alternatively, you can grow some ground cover plants around the base of your clematis to provide natural shade and keep the soil cool.
This will lock in moisture and keep the root system hydrated and cool, while the vines can grow upward into the sun to bring out vibrant blooms.
3. Deadhead Faded Blooms
When you prune your clematis all depends on the variety you have.
Spring-flowering clematis (like this Armandii Snowdrift Clematis from Plant Addicts) will need light pruning now to remove faded blooms and any damaged or overcrowded vines.
Likewise, you can deadhead clematis that is a repeat summer-flowering variety to encourage a second flush of blooms. One of the best repeat bloomers is the plum-red Rebecca Clematis, available at Plant Addicts.
'You should always use clean and sharp pruning tools when tending to your garden plants,' says Rachel. 'For deadheading clematis, you can use garden snips (like these Felco snips from Amazon) because they have soft, pliable stems. Follow the flower stem down to the first set of lateral buds to make a cut. This is where new growth will emerge later in the season,' she advises.
4. Tie In New Shoots
Clematis tends to have a growth spurt in summer, growing vigorously with new shoots that need to be tied in and supported.
'Leaving new shoots alone can result in a tangled mess and damage,' Rachel warns. 'To prevent this, you should check your clematis weekly in summer and tie in where needed,' she adds.
You should use jute twine or garden soft ties (like these from Amazon) to ensure they don't cut into the plant stems and cause damage.
Aim to spread the shoots across the support in the direction you want it to grow, to avoid bunching and tangling.
Young shoots are brittle and can easily snap, so handle with care and tie loosely to prevent damage. A figure-of-eight loop is often recommended to provide room for stems to grow without restraint.
5. Fertilize Repeat Bloomers
With clematis actively growing in summer, it can help to regularly feed it to provide a boost of essential plant nutrients. Repeat blooming varieties in particular benefit from this, to encourage a second flush of flowers later in the season.
'To fertilize clematis in July, use a liquid clematis feed (like this on Amazon) every 2-4 weeks,' says Rachel. 'You want a feed that is high in potassium and phosphorus to encourage blooming, rather than a nitrogen-rich fertilizer,' she explains.
However, if you're experiencing a heatwave, it's wise to delay feeding. When plants are already stressed and under such harsh conditions, fertilizer may burn roots and cause foliage to yellow.
As we progress later into summer it's best to stop feeding your clematis, as it's slowing down and preparing for dormancy.
What to Shop
This clematis fertilizer is water soluble, with an NPK ratio of 3-3.6-5.1 to encourage blooming.
This raised planter trellis has ample planting room and a trellis to train climbing plants up, like clematis.
Use these pruning snips to lightly prune and deadhead your clematis in summer. It has stainless steel blades for clean cuts.
If you find your clematis has yellow and brown leaves in summer, it could be a sign of heat stress. Make sure to increase watering during hot, dry spells and provide more shade to the roots to keep them cool. It could also be a sign of summer garden pest damage, so look on the underside of leaves where they might be hiding.
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