Clematis - pronounced "KLEM-ah-tis" - from Klema, the Greek word for vine - are prestigious members of the Buttercup family. This family is botanically known as Rununculaceae. Don't try and say that with your mouth full! These exquisite climbers, which can be deciduous or evergreen, are so rewarding to grow and will delight with their beautiful buds, stunning blooms and fabulous fluffy seed heads.

There are over 250 species in the Clematis family made up of scramblers, ramblers, climbers and perennials ensuring there is a Clematis to suit every garden temperament.

Clematis prefer their heads in the sun and their roots in the shade i.e. they need a cool root run with the ability to climb up towards the sun. Plant deeply in soil that is humus rich and that does not completely dry out in summer. You may need to add a layer of mulch in summer to ensure the soil and root area stay cool. During the growing season and during summer water deeply (at least once a week) if there is no or little rainfall.

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aka Clematis Hybrid

Clematis Aotearoa has flowers 12.5cm across in a rich violet purple. Flowers profusely in late spring and early summer. Deciduous

Group 3 Growing Clematis

 

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aka Clematis hybrid

A striking Clematis with very double silver-mauve blooms that open from fat buds in spring-summer. Plant in sun or semi-shade but make sure it is where it can be admired because it's a beauty. Will do best in deep cool soil. Deciduous

Group 2 Growing Clematis

 

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aka Clematis hybrid

Exquisite yet simple single blooms in a glowing violet blue with a small stamens appear in spring-summer. Plant in sun or semi-shade. Will do best in deep cool soil or at the very least mulch the surface roots in summer. RHS AGM. Deciduous. Group 2.

Group 2 Growing Clematis

 

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aka Clematis hybrid

Add some 'Fireworks' to your spring garden with this award winning Clematis that has very large star shaped blooms in a soft mauve shade highlighted with a bar of deep mauve-pink. Plant in sun or semi-shade and keep the surface roots cool for best results. Deciduous. RHS AGM.

Group 2 Growing Clematis

 

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aka Anemone Clematis

This vigorous and hardy deciduous climber will add a serious wow factor to the garden when it is in full flower in spring-summer. Fat rounded buds open out to rich pink blooms and there are simply masses of them. Plant in sun or part shade in deep cool soil for best results.

Group 1, Pruned after flowering in spring; tidy up broken or damaged limbs. Growing Clematis