12th July 2008

Clematis are a range of gorgeous climbing plants that look beautiful climbing up walls, trellis etc whether it be in your back garden or entrance porch to your house. There is a wide selection of types, all with different colours, petal shapes and flowering times. Some will flower in the spring, some mid summer and others not until late summer/ early autumn. Choosing your plant types wisely can mean your garden has Clematis in flower for a large part of the year!

Clematis like cool roots, so shade at the base can be a good idea and they thrive best in moist well drained soil, covering the surface at the base with gravel or pebbles can help achieve this. When planting, give them a good soaking with water beforehand. In hot periods water the plant on a regular basis and feed with fertiliser. Tie new growth to help support the plant and to help train it to cover the maximum area possible.

Problems
Clematis can be affected by Slugs and Snails, so a few beer traps will provide a cheap organic way of controlling them. Aphids can sometimes appear on the plant, remove the affected area and spray with a light insecticide if absolutely neccesary. Clematis Wilt can affect the top of Clematis, especially the larger varieties. It is advised that you remove the branches and dispose of them well away from the plant. Powdery Mildew, a light white dust can also affect Clematis, this can be cured with a pesticide if the problem becomes out of hand.

From Seed
Clematis can be grown from seed if you are looking to save money. Plant the seeds in a good quality compost mixed with a bit of grit to help drainage. Germination can vary, but once shoots appear and are established, re-pot to bigger pots allowing more room for good root growth. Once the plants are of a decent size, place the pots in a sheltered spot outside away from direct sunlight to help them becom acclimatised to the outdoors.

Types
There is a very large number of Clematis, suitable for all types of garden from brash and tropical, to elegant in subtle palattes. Here a just a few to whet your appetite.

Princess Diana - Long pink flowers, reaching a height of 8ft tall. Flowers from June to September. Thrives in a semi shaded position.

Tibetan Mix - An unusual cultivar with rounded drooping flowers in a subtle greeny yellow/beige speckled with maroon purples. A subtle plant
that flowers late in the year.

White Lady - Strong pointed white petals, with a yellowish centre. Flowers in Spring with a coverage of about 8 to 10 ft

National Collections of Clematis

RJ Evison
Domarie Vineries
Les Sauvagées
St Sampson
Guernsey, GY2 4FD
Tel: 01481 245942
Website: www.guernsey-clematis.com
Opening times: By appointment only

M Oviatt-Ham
Ely House
Green Street
Willingham
Cambridgeshire, CB4 5JA
Tel: 01954 261654
Website: www.oviatt-ham.demon.co.uk
Opening times: By appointment only

M Brown
Clematis Corner
15 Plough Close
Shillingford
Wallingford
Oxfordshire, OX10 7EX
Tel: 01865 858721
Opening times: By appointment only

Burford House Gardens,
Burford House,
Tenbury Wells,
Worcestershire, WR15 8HQ
Tel: 01584 810777
Website: www.burford.co.uk
Opening times: See website for details

K Treadaway
Rosewood
Redberth
Tenby
Pembrokeshire, SA70 8SA
 01646 651405
Opening times: By appointment only

V Le May Neville-Parry
By The Way
Lodge Drove
Woodfalls
Salisbury
Wiltshire, SP5 2NH
Tel: 01725 511931
Website: www.clematismontana.co.uk
Opening times: By appointment only

R Hodson
The Hawthornes
Marsh Road
Hesketh Bank
Nr Preston
Lancashire, PR4 6XT
Tel: 01772 812379
Website: www.hawthornes-nursery.co.uk
Opening times: By appointment only

Longstock Park Gardens
Longstock,
Stockbridge,
Hampshire
SO20 6EH
Tel: 01264 810894
Website: www.longstocknursery.co.uk
Opening times: See website for details

C R Pridham
Roseland House
Chacewater
Truro
Cornwall, TR4 8QB
Tel: 01872 560451
Website: www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Opening times: See website for details

Find out more:
The British Clematis Society
International Clematis society
International Clematis Society,
3 Cuthberts Close,
Waltham Cross,
Hertfordshire, EN7 5RB

Credits: Nick Pringle