When’s the best time to paint behind our trellis without disturbing our budding clematis?
Question:
We would like to paint the side of our barn where we have clematis growing on a trellis. There are already new buds appearing on last year’s vines. I want to be very careful not to disrupt it and damage this year’s blooms. Do you have any advice on how to accomplish the paint job without damaging the plant? Do you have any guidance on the timing? Is there a time frame in the spring when we would be better off not disrupting the clematis and waiting to paint next year? Thanks so much for your help!
Answer:
Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The earlier in the spring you can do this, the more likely it is that you will not cause any lasting damage. If you cannot get to it soon, wait until a few weeks after it has stopped blooming for the year.