[foxroxks]

I've 55cm oval planters & thinking of putting 2 clematis in each. Can I plant summer bulbs in too?

Also

Same size planters i have climbing roses is there anything I can put in with these?

[Greengage]

depends on how deep the pots are, clematis and roses need deep pots thats why the come in long toms, also clematis needs to be planted deeper in the pot than the pot it came out of, Planting in pots require lots of maintaince watering and feeding. why not plant in the ground and go for Bulbs in Autums and Bedding or specimen plants in Summer.

[foxroxks]

tks i should be ok with the planters size & the clematis & roses i bought are suitable for planters. they are going in an area gravelled over so dont want to dig into it. my question is more about if you can add to the planters or would it take away too much from the clematis

[Greengage]

yes you could something low growing that will not compete with the clematis for water or nutrients, but would shade its roots, clematis would usually be bare at the bottom, I would sugest summer bedding like marigolds for greenfly or if its shady impatiens if they are available this year or Sweet alyssum which will self seed. maybe geraniums,
During Autumn I would replace them with Low growing bulbs, Crocus,Snowdrops or snowflakes, daffidols, (Tet A Tet, Jonquilla, Bulbocodium, Jetfire or Rip van winkle) Post a pic if possible when you finish the plantings.

[foxroxks]

tks some good suggestions there will give a couple of them ago. its still too cold at the moment everything is growing on in the greenhouse but when i pot up ill stick up a pic

[foxroxks]

I made a start on these planters. I've started with a clematis jackmanii and a honeysuckle.

for some reason the pics haven't uploaded in order

Im using 55cm oval planters. I made four drainage holes and added stones to stop them getting blocked up. I then added a layer of manure followed by peat free moisture plus miracle grow compost for pots.
I created a support using chicken wire & bamboo. This will give the plants a high enough support to the wall supports.
I gave them a good soak & popped them in planting them deeper then the original pots.
finally I added a few marigold plants & also popped a few marigold seeds.
I decided against adding any additional bulbs.

Plants are still small so will keep them in the greenhouse till I run out of space

One down just four more to go.

I normally stick to fruit & veg so its will be interesting to see how I get on with these. Im hoping to get a few years out of them (if they survive) before needing to be repotted.

[Greengage]

both the clematis and honeysuckle will be very heavy when they grow so I would have stronger supports, but the will be ok for this season

[foxroxks]

Thanks any suggestions for better support?

[tippben]

I would use a wooden batten (2"x1" approx), fixed to a flat wooden plate underneath the pot, whose weight will keep it stable, then staple the wire to the batten. If you do that at the back of the pot, it will really help.

[foxroxks]

tks tippben for the tip will try this over the coming weeks