Clematis Montana

Clematis Alpina Constance

Clematis Sunset

Clematis Montana is known as a vigorous climber and this one in my garden has lived up to its name. This is now the third season since this was planted and it has now completely covered the tree stump. While montana can be a nuisance in the wrong place, where there is room for it to sprawl it makes a fine show.

The montana was the second clematis to bloom in my garden this year. It was preceded by clematis Alpina Constance which put on its display in April and is now over. Next I am looking forward to Ice Blue and Sunset which are growing together in a container. The Large white flowers of rather oddly named Ice Blue are complemented by the reddish purple of Sunset.

The oldest clematis I have was planted soon after I moved to this house some six years ago. Clematis Jackmanii Superba has puple flowers and blooms profusely on a north facing fence. Each year I prune it back to eighteen inches from the ground, but last autumn I decided to leave the main branches in place. Unfortunately when I checked earlier this spring I found that the main stem had been broken almost at ground level and it is only now slowly beginning to grow back. Slugs are a problem and nibble the emerging shoots, but clematis are tough and always recover after a slow start.

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