Set a stake next to the plant for support. Most clematis will require staking so the twining leaf petioles can cling and climb upward, although it is not a problem if you choose to let the plants sprawl over the ground, fences, or whatever. Provide the plant with a ground cover plant or a mulch such as shredded leaves, pine needles, straw, bark or even stones to help conserve moisture and to keep the roots cool. Clematis resent root disturbance, so extreme care must be exercised when working around the plant to prevent any root damage. Water well, keeping the soil always moist during the first year after planting.
Clematis flowers form either on the current season's growth or on that of the previous year.
Clematis that form its buds on the new growth have a tendency to become bare at the bottom of the vine unless pruned annually in late winter or very early spring. Cut these plants back to about 12 inches above the ground, leaving at least one pair of healthy looking buds on the trunk. Plants which bloom in the spring from buds set the previous season should be pruned as needed, after they are finished blooming. Seeds need to be sown into prepared soil in late fall to germinate in the spring. If you plan to start your seeds indoors, the seeds must be placed in a moistened rooting medium and kept in the freezer for the three weeks prior to planting.