What to Do With Clematis in June for a Show-Stopping Climb of Blooms That Lasts for Months

I’m growing clematis in my garden for the first time, and I love how quickly it’s taken off now that early summer has arrived. It's already started climbing up my fence and trellis.

I’ve always wanted to grow clematis because it adds impressive height and vibrant color without taking up much space at ground level. The Samaritan Jo™ Clematis from Plant Addicts is a great option if you’re looking for something with soft, understated tones. Whether it’s softening a backyard fence, climbing a mailbox post, or weaving through climbing roses, clematis has a way of tying everything together and making a garden feel more established, layered, and complete.

Even though it looks impressive, I’ve found clematis care at this stage is actually pretty straightforward. A few small jobs now go a long way later in summer, helping plants stay healthy, flower more heavily, and cope better with the heat and humidity we get at this time of the year. I’m already seeing why it’s considered one of the best clematis to grow – it’s doing a lot of the work itself, but really responds well to a bit of early attention.

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1. Keep Clematis Watered During Hot Weather

Clematis really prefers cool roots and evenly moist soil, especially once temperatures start rising in early summer. In the US, heat and dry spells can arrive quickly depending on where you live, and I’ve noticed young vines can dry out much faster than you’d expect.

Instead of giving them a little water every day, I’ve had much better results with a deep soak once or twice a week, adjusting for rain and temperature. It feels like a small change, but it really helps roots grow deeper and makes the plants much more resilient when long hot stretches arrive later in summer.

If you’re growing clematis in pots or containers, it’s a different story – they usually need watering more often, especially in hotter southern and western states where pots can dry out in a single day. One piece of advice I keep coming back to is the old saying that clematis likes its ‘head in the sun and roots in the shade’. It really does ring true. A layer of mulch around the base helps keep the root zone cooler and holds moisture in the soil, which makes a big difference during heat waves.

For easier, consistent watering, especially if you’re not always around to keep up with dry spells, a simple Orbit Drip Watering Kit with Hose Faucet Timer from The Home Depot can be a real help for keeping soil evenly moist without overdoing it.

2. Feed Plants for Better Flowers

Once clematis starts growing strongly, it really helps to fertilize clematis regularly to support all that growth and flowering. I usually feed plants every couple of weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer while vines are actively putting on new shoots.

Then, once buds start to form, I switch to a bloom booster or a tomato fertilizer with more potassium to encourage a fuller, heavier display of flowers. It’s a simple change, but it makes a noticeable difference once blooming really kicks in.

It’s worth being careful with high-nitrogen fertilizers, though. They tend to push lots of leafy growth at the expense of flowers, which isn’t what you want when clematis is starting to perform. Products like Miracle-Gro Shake ’N Feed All Purpose Plant Food or TPS Clematis Fertilizer, both widely available on Amazon, are commonly used by gardeners for this kind of seasonal feeding.

3. Tie in New Growth Before It Sprawls

One thing that surprised me this year is just how quickly my clematis has grown. I’ve really noticed how fast it’s starting to sprawl in different directions once the warm weather arrived. Fresh stems can easily tangle or get damaged in strong summer storms if they aren’t supported early enough. This happened to me recently, so it was a lesson I wanted to share.

I always try to guide new shoots onto their supports while the stems are still soft and flexible. It makes everything much easier and helps the plant grow in the direction you actually want. Soft plant ties or garden twine work well, especially for younger vines that haven’t fully attached yet. A simple option like VELCRO Adjustable Plant Ties from Amazon is especially handy because you can reuse them and adjust as the stems thicken.

Whether your clematis is growing over a pergola, trellis, archway, or even a porch railing, spending a few minutes training stems now really pays off later in the season when the plant fills out properly.

4. Deadhead Early-Flowering Varieties

Some spring-blooming clematis varieties start to fade as early summer settles in, and this is when it really helps to deadhead clematis and prune clematis to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage fresh growth. I’ve noticed that if I stay on top of it, the whole vine just looks healthier and more controlled.

With repeat-flowering clematis types, removing spent blooms can even trigger another flush later in the season, which is always a nice bonus. It’s a simple job too – just trim faded flowers back to a healthy pair of leaves.

I also use this moment to tidy up any weak or tangled stems and open the plant up a bit for better airflow. A pair of Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears from Walmart or Amazon makes the job quick and clean without crushing the stems.

5. Watch for Clematis Wilt and Aphids

Early summer is when a few common clematis problems tend to show up, along with other typical summer pests in the garden. Clematis wilt is probably the most frustrating – stems can suddenly blacken and collapse almost overnight.

If you notice it, the best thing to do is cut affected growth straight back to healthy stems and dispose of the damaged material. It looks dramatic, but many plants bounce back well once the problem is removed.

Aphids can also appear on soft new shoots at this time of year, though ladybugs and other beneficial insects usually help keep them under control naturally. If they do build up, a strong spray of water or a ready-to-use insecticidal soap is often enough to knock them back. A widely used option from The Home Depot is Bonide Insecticidal Soap, which works well on soft-bodied summer pests without being too harsh on tender growth.

Good airflow around the plant also makes a real difference, helping reduce fungal issues later in summer, especially in humid parts of the US.

Clematis may look delicate, but once it’s established, it’s actually a tough, reliable climber.

It’s also a good time to think ahead if you want to propagate clematis plants, since strong, actively growing vines tend to root and establish more successfully. Even small efforts now can pay off later if you’re planning to expand your collection.

Trust me, if you want to cover unsightly fences or walls, you won't regret growing clematis in your backyard.