Early flowering clematis...?

[JimmerG]

Can someone recommend me an early flowering clematis....?

Here's what I need....

It'll grow up a rambling rose that's covered the East side of my shed. It needs to be non evergreen, to grow to at least 3 metres, not require pruning. I'm open to suggestions about flower colour/size/scent.

What do you reckon?

J

[Bigmallly]

Montana.

Clematis montana 'Elizabeth' - Detailed item view - Broadoak Nursery- Plants, tools and garden gifts.

[Jeanied]

I would have said Montana too, but it is such a thug - it swamps everything.
How about some of the species - alpinas are the ones that have their heads hanging down and are quite pretty - or the macropetelas? Slightly better behaved than the montanas and only a little later in flowering times.

[Fernw]

I'd go with the early flowering alpinas or macropetalas too which are very pretty. The alpinas flowers are singles while the macropetalas are semi double/double and they have fluffy seedheads after the flowers. Both kinds are very hardy and suitable for an east wall. No pruning required but they can be cut back if necessary immediately after flowering if they get too dense.
Clematis alpina Frances Rivis' has extra long twisting blue petals and grows to 4m, while'Helsinborg' is rosy purple and grows to 3m. Of the macropetalas 'Markham's Pink' grows to 3m.

[JimmerG]

Thanks for your help everyone...

I already have a Montana - one of my favourites - its rambles wildy over and across a pergola.

So I've just nipped out and got an Alpina... looks ideal - blue flowers in the spring, doesn't like full sun, and doesn't need hacking down every year.

It'll grow through my rambling rose that produces white flowers in the summer.


Mrs G will be pleased..... I hope!

J

[Flummery]

I had a macropetala called Bluebird on my old garden. It was gorgeous and came into flower just at the same time as the late-flowering narcissus ''minnow' - looked fab together!