Clematis

Clematis spp.

Clematis are the queens of climbing plants, offering flowers in every season and an incredible range of forms and colours. There are over 300 species and thousands of cultivars, providing options for every garden situation. Large-flowered hybrids like 'Nelly Moser' (pink-striped), 'The President' (deep purple-blue), and 'Niobe' (deep red) produce spectacular blooms 12–15cm across in summer. Late-flowering C. viticella varieties ('Étoile Violette', 'Polish Spirit') are exceptionally healthy and flower prolifically from July to September. Spring-flowering C. montana covers vast areas with cascading white or pink flowers. Winter-flowering C. cirrhosa provides scented, nodding, cream bells from December to February. The key to success is understanding the three pruning groups: Group 1 (spring-flowering) — prune after flowering; Group 2 (early-summer large-flowered) — light prune in February; Group 3 (late-flowering) — hard prune to 30cm in February. All clematis like their roots cool and shaded but their tops in sun — plant deeply (10cm deeper than the pot) and shade the root area with low-growing plants or a flat stone. They climb by twining leaf stalks, so need thin supports like wires, trellis, or netting rather than thick posts.

Plan where to grow Clematis using our vegetable garden planner.