Clematis is rightly the most popular climber; so many colours, flower types, so easy to grow, so rewarding. Not named the Queen of Climbers for nothing, this wonderful and varied genus has species in flower in nearly every month of the year. From the huge, flat summer flowering Clematis, to winter flowering varieties, Clematis has it covered.
Spring
- Earliest to flower are the fragrant evergreen and Clematis –white flowers in March and April.
- Alpina and types flower in April and May, with 4 long petals surrounding a central mass of white stamens. Fluffy white seedheads later. Comes in blue, purple, pink or white. Recommended varieties are ‘Wessleton’ (blue), ‘Diamond Anniversary’ (White), ‘Markham’s Pink’ (pink)
- Montana varieties are very vigorous and will climb a tree or hedge easily, and are tolerant of shaded areas. Small flowers in shades of pink or white come out en masse in May. Recommended: ‘Grandiflora’ (white), ‘Rubens Superba’ (pink), ‘Elizabeth’ (pink).
Summer
- From June, the summer Clematis to bloom. Most are single flat flowers about 15cm in diameter, though there are some double varieties. Colours available from white, blue, purple, pink, red and many bicolours. Try the varieties ‘Nelly Moser’ (Pink/white stripe), ‘The President’ (Violet-blue), ‘Shikoo’ (Blue double), ‘Tae’ (white/carmine edge), ‘Ernest Markham’ (red), ‘Warsaw Nike’ (purple).
- Viticella group Clematis produce flowers with 4-6 well spaced velvety petals in rich colours from July on. They are vigorous and produce an impressive display. We recommend: ‘Polish Spirit’ (violet), ‘Madame Julia Correvon’ (carmine red), ‘Royal Velours’ (purple-red), ‘Alba ’ (white).
- From late summer to the frosts, Clematis produce fairy bell flowers in pink, red and white. Pick from ‘Duchess of Albany’ (deep pink), ‘Gravetye Beauty’ (red), ‘Princess Kate’ (white/pink)
Autumn
- Viticella and Texensis varieties mentioned above will flower until at least September.
- Clematis orientalis ‘Bill Mackenzie’ starts in summer with yellow lemon-peel flowers that are quite different to other varieties, and keeps going well into mid-autumn, when the puffball, spidery seed heads carry on the show into the winter.
Winter
- Cirrhosa Clematis a real treat in winter. Evergreen, fine cut leaves, with dainty, flowers in cream & pink from November to February. Recommended: ‘Freckles’ (cream/pink spots), ‘Wisley Cream’ (cream), ‘Balearica’ (Creamy yellow/purple spots).
N.B. All evergreen Clematis, including armandii and cirrhosa varieties, are somewhat tender. To thrive, they need somewhere sheltered from the wind, but that catches the sun, like a south facing corner.
Planting & Care. Clematis are hungry and thirsty plants. To get the best out of them, include a layer of water retaining material such as bark, 20cm below where the rootball will be. On top of this, add a nutrient rich compost such as John Innes No. 3, before placing the plant in the hole and backfilling with more compost. Most Clematis are best planted 8cm below the surface to encourage more shoots, however evergreen types should be planted level with the surface. Some support structure will be needed for the leaf stalks to wrap themselves around – this can be trellis, garden mesh or wires attached to vine eyes. For more information, pick up our climbing plants leaflet.
Feed well from early spring with a food, but stop just before flowering. Feed again after flowering until with a balanced fertiliser. Many Clematis can be grown in large containers, assuming that the above needs are met. Check the plant label before buying. Different pruning methods are used for different Clematis types – the plant label should give clear instructions how to do this, but otherwise, please ask the plant expert at your local Cherry Lane garden centre for help.
