Clematis Advice

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

I've never had much luck with Clematis, until two years ago when I discovered Montana Elizabeth.
Grows for fun, really good spread and a good show of flowers in April/May.

Since I've been successful with this variety, I want to plant more along the fence, but I need different colour(s) and a different flowering period really.

Can anyone suggest a clematis variety or varieties that grows as well as Elizabeth ?

 

[Susiejb]

Hi A2sJ sorry can't give you any specific names ... have about 12 at various points in the garden. I don't think any varieties are quite as prolific as Montana (but I may be wrong on that).
I purchased all mine last year from Morrisons just with the weekly shopping for the ridiculously cheap sum of about £1.79 each and they were great ...coming back really nice for this year. I just tend to sort through them and choose the one with a picture that I like. It usually has the flowering time etc. on the packet.
They are so expensive at Garden Centres although they are a bit larger, but they soon catch up once they are planted.

 

[Diane2]

you could try "Polish Spirit" Arthur2 ...flowers mid summer to late autumn...and its very hardy, its a nice deep purple..

 

[r896neo]

The montana's are very common for the very reason you've found. In my experience the late flowering ones are not as prolific as they flower on new growth and so tend to get cut back more viciously.

Madame Julia is a good group 3 type

 

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

Thank you everyone, looks like I'll have to just persevre with other types if I want later flowering ones.
The problem I've found though is that they tend to want to grow at an alarming rate, get too high and then have no foliage or flowers in the lower sections and threading them through trellis etc is difficult as they are so flimsy on new growth.
Basically I do get some flowers, but they grow in what I would term a "stringy" manner and whatever I do I can't seem to get them to spread out.

Any advise ??

 

[Susiejb]

Hi ...I think you will find that the types that I mentioned which aren't quite so prolific and have to be cut back every year do flower much more from the base...our Montana is the same, very bare at the base, so I have planted one of the other varieties to grow up the stem and hide it.
The ones that you cut back can be cut down quite ruthlessly and this helps to keep them thicker and more bushy.
Or you could consider a Passion Flower or a Honeysuckle ... both of which will grow and spread...the scent from the Honeysuckle is just lovely on a summers evening....or a Jasmine...ooops must stop ....the list is endless
Hope that helps a little.

 

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

Thanks Susie, I was thinking about growing something else in between or the other way around, I'll have to try Passion Flower, the Honeysucle and Jasmine route hasn't worked very well for me either in the past.

I think it may well be a combination of the soil type we have and the climate in the North West near the Pennines isn't brilliant really.

I'll just have to persevere

 

[Diane2]

if you go for passion flowers ....be aware that they can take over....also....you dont have to buy one....just nip a stem off one hanging over someones garden wall....and stick it in a glass of water....it will root in a couple of weeks.....mine grew well in lancs.....so you should be fine in manc

 

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

Thanks D2.
When I say Manchester, it's a generalisation, most people don't recognise the place I live if I tell them, so I just say manchester, find it easier.

I'm actually in Lancashire

 

[Diane2]

8) the best county in the country

you should have no probs with the passion flower then....i havent got mine now....it was at my old house, but it flowered til late autumn and had fruit or seed pods (funny orange things that looked like deflated balloons) on it too.... loads of friends had cuttings off it....i think i may ask for a cutting back so i can grow another

 

[Arthur2shedsJackson]

8) the best county in the country

I was going to say I'm up in God's county with you, but I didn't want the thread to go off at a tangent about different areas of the country.

Thanks for everyone's advice, I've bought another Montana ( Different colour to Elizabeth ), A passion Flower and have some other Passion Flower cuttings on the way.
I've also bought some Kerria Japonica to add some early season colour and hopefully grow through the others.

I'm going to look for a Polish Spirit and a Madame Julia locally ( The are available online, but by the time you've paid the P & P you can get a much more mature plant locally I find )

Let's hope they like clay