I planted a red colored clematis in the shade near sun and it is about 5 inches tall now.?

It has red petals on it if it ever grows big enough. Should I be fertilizing it or will it burn it up. I thought it was going to die at 1st, but it has rallied and now is showing green leaves. The sun is about 4 feet away. I don't know what to do with it to protect it and make it grow up beautiful. Any suggestions. I live in east central Illinois and it was about 96 degrees here today.

I planted a red colored clematis in the shade near sun and it is about 5 inches tall now.?
Mine are on the east side of the house, they get about 5 or 6 hours of morning sun. Give it a bit of plant food every two weeks and be sure to water it. Good luck!
Reply:Clematis need to be feed/fertilized regularly, they are heavy feeders. They need a fair amount of water, full sun/part shade, and shaded roots.





I planted a perennial about 8" from the rootball of my clematis to shade it.





Your biggest issue is going to be the shade.





Here's some more info for you.
Reply:Clematis wants shady roots but sun for the leaves. Try going to this website for a discussion of how to take care of your clematis:

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