Climbers are amongst the most versatile and valuable of garden plants and high on the list of the best of these are clematis. If you are looking for a climber guaranteed to do a good job of covering a trellis or fence during the summer months or to add brightness to a deciduous shrub during the inhospitable days of winter there is sure to be a clematis that will do the job for you. By choosing carefully it is possible to have at least one of these beautiful plants in bloom at any time during the year.
As with all plants there are a few points that need to be thought through before you make your choices. Different types of clematis vary hugely in both their growth rate and their ultimate size. The old favourites ‘Niobe’ and ‘Hagley Hybrid’ are fairly compact. At the other end of the scale are the C.montana varieties which given their way will quickly scramble up and cover large areas, just the job if you have a tall tree or an unsightly wall that will look better covered.
Clematis as a family are fairly versatile and will happily adapt to sun or shade but before buying any new plant check its needs carefully. Generally they need well-drained soil that doesn’t dry out in hot weather and do best when their roots are cool and their heads in the sun. Keep well watered, especially when newly planted. When planting put in plenty of organic matter and make sure that the rootball is at least 15cm below soil level.
The colour range is varied and there should be one to suit most situations, from deep blue and purple to white and pastel shades of blue, pink and lilac, if you are looking for yellow try either C.tangutica or C.orientalis.
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