Guide to Clematis
There’s no doubt that the bloom of clematis plants are among the most stunning of flowers that can grace our gardens at this time of year. And big ones they can be too, as well as plentiful, so there’s never an excuse for adding a few more into the garden for good measure.
You won’t have to stroll through many gardens this time of year before you are greeted by the warmth of the clematis. They are one of our top selling garden plants, and there is an array of them in the family too. They’ve certainly come a long way from the plant that is very ordinary, but lovingly referred to as, “old man’s beard”, which graces our hedgerows.
The season will soon be taking off with the magnificent displays of some of the large flowered hybrids, which will also to be joined by the sweeping stems of the smaller montanas, that will smother themselves with glorious blooms. Whilst there’s no denying the value of the montanas it’s perhaps the large hybrids though, that really captures the hearts of the gardening public.
Varieties
There are various other species that flower throughout most of the year and you really have an exceptional choice.
“Nelly moser” is the variety known to most, a good old fashioned one with striped flowers, which you’ll find is included in most offerings of clematis. It is just one among the first group of large flowered hybrids which commences flowering as early as May, continuing for many weeks and followed up by yet another splash in late summer. Exploring a little further into the range available and you will find dozens of irresistible alternatives including the lavender blue “lasurstern” and the more recent introduction, “fireworks”, which offers a true explosion of colour. As those in this group commence flowering so early in the season, leave the secateurs alone and just enjoy the view!
Taking over the show in June is the second group of hybrids, including the familiar violet purple blooms of “jackmanii”. Although you won’t be rewarded with a second flush of bloom later on, what you do get is an abundance of normally smaller flowers all summer long. You will need your pruning instruments with this bunch as they flower on current season’s growth. Hack them right back in early spring and watch them bounce right back with a vengeance.
Top tips
Whichever clematis you choose the secret of success lies with thoughtful planting. First check to make sure you purchase a variety recommended for your chosen location as some are more tolerant of full sun and dense shade than others. Next, get yourself a good helping of manure or compost and dig into the base of the planting hole. Clematis love a rich soil, and manure will also assist in conserving moisture if you’re planting at the base of a wall where the soil will dry out easily. Be sure to include in the mix a good quality fertiliser to support all the new growth such as Vitax Q4.
When placing your plant in the planting hole, be sure to bury the first 3 or 4 inches of the stem, particularly if you’re planting a hybrid. This will ensure that if the dreaded clematis wilt strikes (when the plant seemingly collapses overnight) and you prune the stems back to ground level you will have a much greater chance of new growth, re-generating from below.
Finally, especially in the case of hybrids again and a real shocker for many gardeners, take the secateurs to your plant immediately after planting and prune back to ground level. It will make you weep to think you’ve chucked away most of that gorgeous growth you’ve just paid good money for, but all the vigorous shoots you’ll see emerging soon after will reward you ten times over!
Check out Notcutts blog to check out our favourite clematis flower.