Clematis - pronounced "klem-a-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.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Developed here in New Zealand, its most distinguishable feature are very large (for a Clematis montana) flowers that grow to more than 10 cm in diameter. The flowers are semi-double, soft-pink and arrive in abundance in spring. Looks great against walls, trellis or in a tree.

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

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Clematis Montana. Small, flattish, faintly scented, semi-double, flowers that are pale creamy yellow at the centre of the tepal, shading through pale pink to a deep pink margin. Yellow anthers on white filaments. Deciduous

So named because of the similarity of the flowers to the Pied Piper of Hamelin’s "gypsy coat of red and yellow" in Robert Browning's poem. Group 1 Growing Clematis

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

This clematis has masses of delicately scented, large, semi-double soft pink flowers with pale yellow stamens. Blooms throughout spring. Its leaves emerge bronze-brown and then age to dark green. Looks great against a wall or trellis or climbing in a tree. Deciduous.

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

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Hardy, fast-growing climber suitable for sun or semi-shade. Produces masses of warm, soft pink semi-double flowers in Spring. Blooms have yellow anthers clearly visible in their creamy centres and pretty pink veins in their petals. Perfect for climbing walls, pergolas, sheds or trees. Deciduous.

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

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

A great climber with a fantastic Spring floral display. Antique pink flowers adorning gorgeous copper leaves. Deciduous

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

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

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

 

CLICK TO ENLARGE

This beautiful deciduous climber is deservedly popular. As the new leaves just start to emerge in spring the tight white buds open to large snowy white blooms that smother the whole vine for a breath-taking display. Will grow in sun or part shade and is quite hardy as well as beautiful.

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