More Blooms, Less Gloom With Winter-Flowering Clematis

We associate them with spring and summer but clematis can add scent and sparkle to the cold months – just when we need it most, says Louise Curley

- Louise Curley

There's something so special about flowers that bloom during the winter months. In summer you are spoilt for choice, but winter-flowering plants should be treasured all the more for their relative scarcity and ability to put a smile on our faces when the days are short and skies are grey. One such mood lifter is clematis; or, more specifically, varieties of C. cirrhosa, the sweetly scented flowers of which can appear from late autumn through to early spring.

Originating from the Mediterranean and North Africa, these clematis are hardy and easy to grow. While most clematis prefer moist, cool conditions around their roots, the cirrhosas favour drier soils, especially in winter. They can cope with temperatures down to between -5Ëš and -10ËšC, and need neutralto-alkaline soil and a sheltered spot with plenty of winter sunshine. For best results, add lots of grit to the planting hole to help with drainage, and plant against a south- or west-facing house wall, where the rain shadow of the roof will shield them from downpours.

Little pruning needed

C. cirrhosa can grow up to 13ft (4m) but they are much easier to control than the rampant C. montana. In fact, they don’t need much pruning at all. Allow them to scramble around a doorway or over sheltered supports where you can appreciate the delicate beauty of their drooping, bell-shaped flowers; then in spring give them a quick tidy up.

There are winter-flowering clematis that can cope with acid soil, but they’re not as hardy as the cirrhosas and need protection from the cold. They are best grown in frost-free town gardens or mild coastal spots; elsewhere, plant in pots in a cold greenhouse or conservatory.