THE MOUNTAIN CLEMATIS

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 24

THE MOUNTAIN CLEMATIS

Many amateurs ignore the charming mountain clematis (Clematis montana) and plant only those that bloom in summer and autumn. The latter are more decorative and colourful and have considerably larger blossoms, but the mountain clematis blooms m spring and early summer, when flowers on climbing plants are_ scarce, and produces white flowers in great profusion. There is a charming pinkflowered variety, C. montana rubens The mountain clematis prefers a partially shaded site._ _ When planting, break up the soil in the bottom of the hole. It is best to make the hole deeper than is needed for the plant, and to fill it partly with good loam mixed with well-rotted manure and a sprinkling of bone-meal. The whole site should be dusted thoroughly with lime or chalk. When the plant is removed from its pot, pull out the ends of the roots from the ball of soil. Do this carefully, so as not to disturb the ball unduly. This will give the roots a better opportunity to become established in the new soil. The top roots should he about two inches under the soil surface. Pruning of established plants can be done during March. If this is done each spring with a new plant, there will be no bare stems.