7. Clematis
For gardeners looking to maximize vertical space on a balcony trellis or a small fence, clematis is a spectacular vining plant that responds beautifully to heavy rainfall. Clematis vines follow an old gardening rule: they like their “heads in the sun and their feet in the shade.”
They require cool, consistently moist roots to support the massive amount of energy required to climb and produce their showy, star-shaped flowers.
A deep, soaking summer rain penetrates far deeper than a typical hose watering, reaching the lowest roots of the clematis vine. This deep watering encourages the vine to push out new tendrils, allowing it to scramble higher up its support structure in a matter of days.
To lock in the moisture provided by the rainstorm, spread a two-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves or compost, over the surface of the soil in your clematis container. This acts as an insulating blanket, keeping the roots cool and moist long after the rain stops.
