Gransnet forums

Gardening

Cheery clematis

(21 Posts)
ClicketyClick Wed 22-Apr-26 16:56:07

I'd been looking for an evergreen clematis and bought one called Early Sensation. I can't believe how many flowers it's produced in its first year. I'm considering planting more clematis (besides other types of climbers) but there's so many to choose from so which clematis are your favourites and put on a good display? I have boundaries facing east and south crying out for climbers.

VANECAM Wed 22-Apr-26 17:09:32

Great pic “CC”

I’ve not come across an evergreen variety and with certainly treat myself to Early Sensation.

I don’t know what my clematis is called. It has beautiful flowers but as the vast amount of foliage becomes quite a task particularly if it’s not done before it dies back to a brittle and brown state. (It’s served me for over 30 years, so I’m not complaining)

kittylester Wed 22-Apr-26 17:59:23

Following this with interest.

We have an evergreen, winter flowering one but I fancy a showy one against our granite walls as well.

I have a soft spot for the President but not sure about it.

Oreo Wed 22-Apr-26 19:05:51

Nice!😊

Redrobin51 Wed 22-Apr-26 21:32:03

Clematis tangutica is yellow and looks a bit like lemon peel. It is quite vigorous and has big fluffy seed heads. In my last garden it used to bloom for about 3 months. Winter beauty has pale cream bells but again quite vigorous and is evergreen.

Allira Wed 22-Apr-26 22:14:11

We have a few, none evergreen but the most showy is the common or garden Montana.

It is smothered with flowers at the moment.

keepingquiet Wed 22-Apr-26 23:02:44

Yes I have a small white flowered montana grown in a large container, every winter I think it has died but every spring it returns and looks wonderful.

It is just about to flower now!

Allira Wed 22-Apr-26 23:12:42

I thought our pink Montana had died but a few leaves started to appear and suddenly it is covered in flowers, quite early this year.

Allira Wed 22-Apr-26 23:13:03

Ps thriving on neglect!!

Beechnut Thu 23-Apr-26 01:40:07

I have one, no idea of the name but it’s a fast growing one. Unfortunately it it doesn’t flower. Does anyone know why that might be?

Gymstagran Thu 23-Apr-26 06:13:07

My pretty montana, not evergreen

AskAlice Thu 23-Apr-26 06:39:52

A few years ago I bought a clematis called Fireworks. It is quite vigorous but not overwhelming, and the flowers are fantastic. It was smothered in them last year. It's on a North facing fence but with its head in the sun when fully grown. I just chop it down to a foot or so in late winter/early spring.

Foxyferret Thu 23-Apr-26 14:31:00

I’ve got lots of clematis. Hagley hybrid pale pink, group 3, Sieboldi white and purple, flowers look like passion flower, group 3, Ernest markham, magenta, group 3, the President purple, group 2, Margaret Hunt vigorous pink, group 3, Marie Boisselot white flowers, group 2, Sugar Kandy huge pink striped flowers, group 2, Jackmanii white and purple, group 3, Polish Spirit purple, group 3 and too many more to mention. Here is a picture of Julia Correvon taken last year, group 3

foxie48 Thu 23-Apr-26 15:14:51

I do like the look of that ClicketyClick We have a clematis armandii, which is extremely early to flower and is evergreen with a lovely perfume but it is a bit of a thug. Our montana is just coming into flower and is always a joy. We've got lots of clematis in the garden and many came from Morrison's and were very cheap but once settled they can flower for weeks. I went to Chelsea last year and there was a grower there with the most incredible display, they are one of my favourite flowers.

FranP Fri 24-Apr-26 21:39:06

Mine is mixed in with a passion flower. While not evergreen, it is hardy perennial. It has already started climbing after a good cut back in December. It will begin to flower in May, all the way through to October, and the fruit will stay until you cut it down (mine is a purpley blue and the fruit is bright orange.

ClicketyClick Sat 25-Apr-26 15:39:18

Thanks everyone for your replies and loving your photos. I haven't heard of Winter Beauty so will look for that as I particularly want a few evergreens for the border next to where an enormous shed has just been erected nextdoor. It's like a magnet to the eyes when I step outside. I'm in a fairly new garden so this is a work in progress. What is your evergreen Kitty Lester? Lots of thumbs up for Montana which I had in my last garden so you've convinced me to buy another one. Fireworks sounds perfect for my north facing fence - thanks AskAlice. The Julia Correvon is very attractive Foxyferret which I'll look for and some other names you've given. FranP - is it your passion flower that fruits? I didn't know that. Beechnut - clematis are pruned at differing times of the year according to what group they fall under like Foxyferret has listed. Maybe it's been pruned the wrong time of year? If you know when it's supposed to flower, it's colour and what the flowers look like then you could ask staff at a garden centre to identify it and also advice on when to prune. I've always found them to be very willing to help.

Grannynannywanny Sat 25-Apr-26 15:52:52

I can’t take credit for these but thought I’d share the beautiful bluebells I saw today in the grounds of Muncaster Castle in Cumbria.

ClicketyClick Sat 25-Apr-26 15:53:56

Stunning!

Nandalot Sat 25-Apr-26 16:35:22

We love our yellow Clematis, Clematis koreana Amber. It was the Chelsea flower of the year 2016. W e have it on our pergola. It seems to flower from spring to autumn and only needs pruning if needed for shape etc. After the flowers it has grey white balls like Old Man’s Beard. At night, when the light from the patio doors falls on the flower they flow white.

Nandalot Sat 25-Apr-26 16:35:53

Glow not flow!

Buddleja Sun 26-Apr-26 12:13:52

Agree with the warning from foxie48 about armandii. In our little garden it quickly covered the fence, then tried to smother everything in sight, then set off to do the same to our neighbours. Unmanageable.