Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Clematis 'Ernest Markham' bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Ernest Markham clematis, magenta clematis (Clematis 'Ernest Markham').

More about clematis 'ernest markham'

About Clematis 'Ernest Markham'

Clematis 'Ernest Markham' · also called Ernest Markham clematis, magenta clematis · flowering

Clematis 'Ernest Markham' is a vigorous deciduous climber bearing rich glowing magenta-red flowers with a velvety sheen from midsummer into autumn. Usually grown as Pruning Group 3, it flowers on new wood and is cut back hard in late winter. It flowers most freely in plenty of sun, with the roots kept cool and shaded.

Plant type: flowering

Watch for — Sparse flowering in shade: 'Ernest Markham' is a sun-lover and blooms poorly in shade. Give it a warm, sunny aspect and it will flower long and abundantly.

The reasons clematis 'ernest markham' isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming clematis 'ernest markham' traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:

Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.

Feeding clematis 'ernest markham' a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.

The fix — how to get clematis 'ernest markham' to flower

Maximise sun. Give clematis 'ernest markham' the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.

Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for clematis 'ernest markham' and get the feeding right with the clematis 'ernest markham' fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.

Bloom season and what to expect

Clematis 'Ernest Markham' flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.

Post-bloom care so it flowers again

Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.

For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full clematis 'ernest markham' care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Clematis 'Ernest Markham' blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my clematis 'ernest markham' flower?

Clematis 'Ernest Markham' blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.

How do I make clematis 'ernest markham' bloom?

Give clematis 'ernest markham' the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.

When does clematis 'ernest markham' normally bloom?