Getting it to bloom

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

Also called Multi Blue clematis, double blue clematis (Clematis 'Multi Blue').

More about clematis 'multi blue'

About Clematis 'Multi Blue'

Clematis 'Multi Blue' · also called Multi Blue clematis, double blue clematis · flowering

Clematis 'Multi Blue' is a distinctive double-flowered deciduous climber producing deep violet-blue blooms with a spiky pompon centre of narrow inner tepals. A sport of 'The President', it flowers on old wood in early summer and again on new growth later, suiting trellises, fences and large patio pots.

Plant type: flowering

Watch for — Reversion to single flowers: Later-season and stressed flowers may open single rather than double; this is normal for 'Multi Blue' — the spiky double form appears mainly on overwintered old wood.

The reasons clematis 'multi blue' isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming clematis 'multi blue' 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 'multi blue' 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 'multi blue' to flower

Maximise sun. Give clematis 'multi blue' 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 'multi blue' and get the feeding right with the clematis 'multi blue' 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 'Multi Blue' 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 'multi blue' care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Clematis 'Multi Blue' blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my clematis 'multi blue' flower?

Clematis 'Multi Blue' 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 'multi blue' bloom?

Give clematis 'multi blue' 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 'multi blue' normally bloom?