Can I grow a clematis up a dead Almond tree?

Gwen - I would think it highly unlikely that you could grow a clematis in the heat of Spain. The roots of a clematis need to be kept cool and in the shade.

I don't see why you cannot grow a clematis on a dead tree. Keep the roots cool with bark or even broken pots, it's worth a try. The choice of plant is personal. Serendipity

Check out climbers that do well over there - what about things like ivy leafed pelargoniums (I have one on my balcony that gets 8 feet high and wide because it's a very sheltered spot - surely in Spain it might do something similar?). You'd need to mesh up the tree trunk, or fix wires to it, so you can tie on anything you do grow up it, or let it twine naturally. Would Billardieria grow there, for instance? here its half hardy, but still can get 10 feet in a season, so over there, might it not be okay all year?

Thanks Everyone, about the only thing I do know about Clematis is that you have to shade the roots but didn´t know whether the sun would be too hot anyway. Bamboo, Billardieria is a new one on me I´m afraid. Didn´t recognise it on Google (where would we be without Google?). I wouldn´t have thought about Pelargoniums, nice idea, but I thought of a shrub because we are not here all year so things have to manage on their own. Gwen

Pelargoniums would be good there, I'd have thought, because they tolerate quite a bit of dry weather - just not sure how cold it gets there. And personally, I'd be inclined to try a clematis anyway, if you can keep it watered till its settled and keep the roots cool. Think I mis spelt it anyway, should be Billardiera - and I'm getting up on google, so not sure why you're not.

Hi Gwen.....Instead of a Clematis , how about the Pink Trumpet Vine....Podranea ricasoliana? From the Bignonia family this will twine right to the top of your almond tree and cover it with scented beautiful racemes of pink trumpet flowers very quickly. I grew one of these in my garden when we lived in Catalunya and it scrambled very quickly over a pergoda we put up. the scent like Lilac is an added bonus. Google it and see...it's other name is Port St. John's creeper.

Sorry Bamboo, I did get it on Google, I meant it isn´t a plant that I know. Is it too late now to plant Pelargoniums?
Thanks Janey for your suggestion, I do know the Trumpet Vine and that also looks a good idea. Thanks to you both.

Serendipity, Gwenvolkes asked us a question and we have all done our best to answer. Had she been living in the UK I'd have said sure it will grow over a dead tree, we have a Clematis alpina growing over the metre high stump of a silver birch, but GV lives in Spain and am doubtful that any clematis would survive the heat.

ok, thanks Moongrower