This allows the plant to recover should it be mowed off, damaged by animals or infected with clematis wilt. Provide support for the vine. Supports must be thin since this plant climbs by twining the bases of its leaves around a support and cannot grasp thick branches or heavy trellising. Latticework or trellises can be used if placed a few inches from the wall for ventilation and if large enough to support the vine. Poles can be used for supporting smaller, less vigorous vines.
Arbors are suitable for the larger, more vigorous types of clematis.
Some gardeners choose to let the plants sprawl over the ground, over woodpiles and over other plants. Water deeply once a week in dry seasons. Vines need at least an inch of water a week either from rain or irrigation. Renew mulch to a 2-inch depth in late spring after the soil has warmed unless a groundcover or other method is used to cool the root environment. Work a good general fertilizer gently into the soil surface in spring.