Clematis montana

Clematis montana

I'm going to show you a popular, tough and low-maintenance clematis that's great for easy May colour.

Clematis montana is one of the easiest clematis to grow and is fast-growing, so it covers a space quickly. Growing clematis through roses is a great way to create multiple seasons of interest in one space, but we grow Clematis montana up one side of the arch, opposite Rosa banksiae 'Lutea'.

• You can prune it every year if you want, cutting off the flowered stems as soon as it's finished flowering to leave the new growth, but you don't have to.
• We leave it about 10 years between pruning and then cut it off at ground level to remove all the dead wood, and within two years it's back to the same height.

Further reading

• Gardens Illustrated: the National Collection holder's pick of the best Clematis montana to grow, including compact cultivars for a smaller space

Plant Directory

Clematis montana

Himalayan clematis

Hardy deciduous climber

Ranunculaceae

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea'

Double yellow Banksia rose

Hardy semi-evergreen rambling climber

Rosaceae