Walls of colour

Clematis provide a mass of flowers for months, so plant these late-season varieties now for cheering blooms towards the end of summer into autumn, says Hazel Sillver

- Hazel Sillver

WITH a long flowering period and pretty, colourful blooms, clematis are superb climbers. They are also one of the few groups of garden plants that can be in flower all year round. Comprising around 300 species, some bloom in spring, others flower in summer and autumn, and a few perform during winter.

Many clematis are herbaceous, but the most widely grown forms are the climbers. There are varieties to suit every garden style: from cottage gardens to smart urban terraces; some have pale blooms, others flower in bold colours; a few have incredible scent; and some provide nectar for wildlife.

Late-season clematis

In early summer the Clematis montana varieties are in glorious full bloom, with clouds of white or pink flowers flooding the air with clove-vanilla perfume. But in a few months’ time, the late-season clematis varieties will steal the show, and there is still time to plant them.

One of the best groups are the C. viticella cultivars. “They are easy to grow, hardy, very floriferous and have numerous flowers over a long period in summer,” says Richard Hodson, who holds a National Collection of viticella and texensis at Hawthornes clematis nursery. His favourite viticellas include pale-blue ‘Hanna’ and blush-pink ‘Entel’, which he grows through roses.