Growing Clematis As Garden Plants
These Flowering Climbers Give a Spectacular Display of Bloom
May 22, 2009
Often called “the Queen of Climbers”, clematis are among the most attractive and varied of flowering plants. They deserve a starring role in almost any garden design; they'll thrive both as shade plants for a north wall or growing in full sun; they vary in height from patio plants like the dwarf New Zealand clematis just one or two feet high, to huge montanas reaching 30 feet or more; they’ll climb a garden trellis or pergola or scramble up through other shrubs or trees; some are evergreen, others deciduous; some have delicate feathery or bell shaped flowers, others huge sumptuous blooms; some are fragrant and you can find one to flower at almost any time of the year.
Clematis Care And Pruning
- Different varieties thrive in different situations, so follow the grower’s instructions, but always plant clematis at least a foot away from any wall to avoid the dry zone.
- Clematis plants like a rich free draining soil, so dig in plenty of peat or compost and fertiliser when planting.
- They are best planted in spring as the soil begins to warm.
- However, they also like their roots to be in cool, shady soil, so if you’re planting in full sun, shade the root area with under-planting or flagstones.
- Always plant the top of the root ball at least three or 4 inches below the surface of the. If they’re later attacked by clematis wilt, you can then just cut them back to ground level and fresh healthy shoots will sprout from beneath the soil.
- Different climbing clematis should be pruned at different seasons, normally after flowering, and some respond well to heavy pruning while others need only a light trim. Always follow the growers’ directions when pruning clematis plants.
Clematis Species and Varieties
Nearly three hundred different Clematis Species have been identified, and Clematis hybridise easily with new varieties constantly being introduced, so there is a huge range to choose from. The small selection of popular varieties listed below, all of which are available from specialist growers like Thorncroft Nursery, illustrates something of the diversity available.
- Clematis alpina Frances Rivis. Blue bell shaped flowers with a white inner bell in April and May. Height 6-8 feet. Any aspect. Pruning: Simply tidy after flowering.
- Clematis armandii Apple Blossom. Clusters of pink tinged white scented flowers from March to May. Height 15 - 20 feet. Sunny sheltered aspect. Pruning: Simply tidy after flowering.
- Clematis cirrhosa Freckles. Nodding cream bells of flower, freckled inside with maroon, from October to February. Evergreen. Height 12 - 15 feet. Sheltered aspect. Pruning: Simply tidy after flowering.
- Clematis Jackmanii Rubra. Large (4-6 inch) semi double crimson flowers in April and May, with a second flush of single blooms in August-September. Height 8 - 12 feet. Prefers a sunny aspect. Pruning: lightly in autumn after flowering.
- Note: other outstanding clematis in this large flowered group include Nellie Moser (pink/maroon striped blooms), Miss Bateman (bold white blooms, red/brown stamens), Niobe (ruby red with gold stamens), clematis florida Sieboldii (creamy white with a prominent boss of purple stamens) and The President (purple with red/purple stamens).
- Clematis montana Freda. Masses of deep pink flowers with paler bars in May and June. Attractive copper foliage. Height 20 - 30 feet. Sunny aspect. Pruning: Simply tidy after flowering.
- Clematis forsteri - a New Zealand evergreen species. Greeny cream yellow nodding stars of scented flower in April and May. Height 8 - 10 feet. Sheltered aspect ( needs winter protection). Pruning: Simply tidy after flowering.
- Clematis tangutica Lambton Park. Yellow coconut scented bell shaped flowers from June to September, followed by attractive tassles of seed head. Height 10 -12 feet. Sunny aspect. Pruning: hard in early spring.
- Clematis viticella. Nodding blue-purple bells flowers from July to Se[ptember. Height 8 - 10 feet. Any aspect. Pruning: Simply tidy after flowering.
More Information On Clematis And Other Flowering Climbers
More clematis varieties for special garden designs and situations.
Other ornamental climbers to consider alongside clematis are honeysuckle and wisteria.
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