CLEMATIS MONTANA - The Anemone Clematis

CLEMATIS MONTANA - The Anemone Clematis

Clematis montana is a popular species of vigorous, ornamental, flowering climber. Commonly known as the Anemone clematis it is a native to the Himalayas, and was first introduced to European gardens in 1831 by Lady Amherst. It produces stems up to 6-9 metres in length with trifoliate, almost glabrous leaves.

Clematis montana seed head
Its strong growth can even be considered rampant which makes it ideal for growing in trees, over walls, outhouses and arbours and in particular those with a northern aspect.

Clematis montana supports itself by means of their petioles - the stalks that attach the leaf blade to the stem. These petioles are able to twine themselves round any slender support.

The flowers are a fantastic pure white and are borne in great profusion from mid April until May. Once the flowers have finished they are followed by attractive silky seed heads.

Clematis grandiflora will grow best in a slightly alkaline, free-draining soil and positioned in full sun. However they will need their roots kept in the shade in order to help provide cool moist conditions. This can be achieved by either positioning another plant next to the root-ball in such a way that it will cast shade, or cover the soil around the root-ball with some large flat stones or a thick mulch of gravel.

Clematis montana
Clematis can be prone to attack from clematis wilt. This is recognisable by the shoots first wilting and then rapidly dying from the top of the stem downwards.

 Unfortunately there is no known control for clematis wilt by current practices advise planting the root-ball 6 inches or so deeper than the existing soil level.

If you plant does suffer the effects of clematis wilt then there is a good chance that new shoots will develop from the ground later on in the season.

There are a number of excellent cultivars to choose from within the Clematis montana species. Of those Clematis grandiflora 'Grandiflora' and Clematis grandiflora var. rubens 'Testarossa' have both received the Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from the Royal Horticultural Society.

For related articles click onto the following link:
CLEMATIS CIRRHOSA species and cultivars
CLEMATIS MONTANA - The Anemone Clematis
CLEMATIS montana 'Grandiflora'
CLEMATIS 'NELLY MOSER'
HOW TO GROW CLEMATIS ARMANDII
HOW TO GROW CLEMATIS ‘Bill Mackenzie’
How to Grow Clematis florida 'Sieboldii'
HOW TO GROW CLEMATIS TANGUTICA
HOW TO GROW THE JAPANESE ANEMONE
How to Grow the Morning Glory from Seed
HOW TO TREAT FOR CLEMATIS WILT?
HOW TO PROPAGATE CLEMATIS BY LAYERING
HOW TO PROPAGATE THE JAPANESE ANEMONE FROM ROOT CUTTINGS
How to Prune Honeysuckle
HOW TO TAKE CUTTINGS FROM CLEMATIS
THE EVERGREEN CLEMATIS - Clematis armandii
THE ORANGE PEEL CLEMATIS - Clematis tangutica

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