Clematis for all seasons

Press, 9 May 1980, Page 7

Clematis for all seasons

GARDENING • <• V- • ■ ■

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M.Lusty

Clematis provide us with some beautiful climbing plants which have long retained their popularity.

By judicious selection it is possible to have a different clematis flower at most times of the year, except for mid-winter. Your selection will depend on personal taste, and availability. This range is attractive, and should be none too difficult to obtain. Clematis armadii is a strong grower attaining at least 4m, if allowed. So it is not a species to be recommended where space is limited. An evergreen, its leaves are divided into threes. Each leaflet is up

to 150 mm long of deep, glossy green. It is one of the very fAv clematis which is wry attractive even when not in flower. Flowers are produced' in bunches during September from previous year’s growth. They are about 50mm across, white, often becoming pinkish as they age in the species.

A cultivar, “Snowdrift.” has larger flowers of pure white at all times, while “Apple Blossom” has flowers which are pink in bud but open to white. Because it flowers early, damage can occur to blooms in cold snaps, so these are not ideal selections for gardens with a likelihood of severe'spring frosts.

C. montana is probably one of the best known clematis, by sight if not by name. It flowers in October.

A strong grower, it can also exceed Bm, and looks at its best when growing over a tree or large fence.

It can be kept well within bounds by shortening back all over-long shoots. The species has white flowers, but is far less commonly grown than the variety “Rubens,” a pink flowered form. “Elizabeth” is similar in colour but tends to fade more. It produces its larger flowers less profusely, but little earlier, than “Rubens” and is slightly fragrant. C. tangutica has flowers of quite a different shape, each being pendant, lan-tern-like, and a fine yellow colour. Flowering takes place from January until March, followed by attractive, feathery seeds. This species, which will flower in the same season when raised from seed, is a dense growing climber of more restricted growth habit.