Clematis montana
Mountain clematis
Also known as Clematis montana var. alba, Clematis insulari-alpina, Clematis kuntziana, Clematis punduana
- Height × spread
- 4.5m – 12m × 4m – 12m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring & early Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Popular early flowering clematis, loved for its profusion of blooms and rapid growth, covering walls, fences and other upright structures quickly in amazing colour April to July. The white, pink or purple flowers, sometimes scented attract the bees and are followed by fluffy seed heads in autumn. The foliage is green, but some are bronze tinted. Left unchecked it can grow up to 10m tall.
- Flower colour
- Cream, Lavender, Lilac, Pink, Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Mauve, Purple
- Fruit colour
- Green, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4.5m – 12m
- Spread
- 4m – 12m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Some varieties are easycare (low/no maintenance)
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - late · Planting
Prune Clematis Group 1
Clematis Group 1 prune. When all danger of frost has past, clematis can be checked for health and dead, damaged or diseased growth can be removed.
Spring · Planting
Prune Clematis Group 1 - trim after flowering
Early flowering Clematis (Group 1) lightly prune after flowering is over. Cut overlong shoots back to a bud. Tie the plant to supports as needed. Pinch out growing tips. Every few years thin a plant if it is congested by cutting some shoots to the base.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support young plants
Provide support for young plants, and tie in any growth to the support to keep it tidy.
Winter
Winter - late · Outdoors
Apply an organic mulch
Apply an organic mulch to the plant taking care not to bury its stem or cover any young growth that emerges from its centre.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Found in
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