Clematis

Clematis – The Queen of Climbers, Bringing Colour and Elegance to Every Garden

Clematis is rightly known as the “queen of climbers,” offering an incredible diversity of flower shapes, sizes, and colours that can transform walls, fences, arches, pergolas, or obelisks into breathtaking garden features. Whether you prefer delicate, nodding bell-flowers, large starry blooms, or frothy doubles, clematis has a variety to suit every taste and planting scheme. With cultivars that flower from spring through autumn, clematis brings a long season of colour, charm, and grace to the garden, making it an essential choice for both classic and contemporary designs.

Why Grow Clematis?

🌸 Spectacular Flowers – Available in a huge range of colours, sizes, and forms, clematis delivers show-stopping floral displays across many months.

🌿 Versatile Growth Habit – With twining leaf stems, clematis climbs easily over supports or weaves through shrubs and small trees, adding vertical interest and soft movement.

⏰ Long Blooming Season – By choosing varieties from different groups, you can enjoy clematis flowers from early spring into late autumn.

🐝 Wildlife Friendly – Many varieties attract pollinators, and the fluffy seedheads of late-flowering types add autumn and winter interest.

Planting & Care Guide

Position: Most clematis like full sun to partial shade, but their roots prefer cool, shaded conditions — mulch around the base or underplant with groundcovers to keep roots cool.

Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost or organic matter. Clematis dislike waterlogged ground.

Watering: Keep well-watered during establishment and dry periods, especially for container-grown plants.

Maintenance:

• Pruning: Different clematis varieties fall into three pruning groups:
  → Group 1 (early-flowering): prune lightly after flowering.
  → Group 2 (large-flowered hybrids): prune in late winter or early spring to tidy and shape.
  → Group 3 (late-flowering types like viticella, texensis): cut back hard in late winter to 30–50 cm above the ground.

• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring and again in midsummer for strong growth and flowering.

• Training: Tie in new shoots as they grow; clematis will climb naturally using leaf stems.

Perfect Garden Uses & Combinations

Clematis looks stunning trained up trellises, arches, pergolas, or obelisks, or scrambling through shrubs, roses, or small trees. Combine large-flowered hybrids with climbing roses for a romantic display, or mix late-flowering viticella varieties with grasses and perennials for a more relaxed, naturalistic feel. For pots and small spaces, compact clematis varieties are perfect on balconies and patios.