Where To Grow Late Summer Scrambling (Group 3) #Clematis

Clematis triternata

The wonderful array of clematis need not be confusing. Finding the right one for you need only be about the group you require and the colour and flower. We simplify clematis into 3 groups  though there are more and there are exceptions but understanding the 3 in layman's terms is enough to help you make your choice.



 All 3 groups like moisture rich soil and type 2 needs sunny positions type 1 and 3 are far more flexible. Many will grow in any aspect.

Group 1 are spring varieties and include montana, macropeta, alpini, cirrhosa and armandii. Some of these are evergreen and they flower early spring.

Clematis alpina 'Francis Rivers'

Group 2 are the Nelly Moser types not all are large and fussy so its an unfair generalisation but there are a lot of elaborate flowers in this group, some very large,some double and some muti-pettled.

Clematis Daniel Derona

I find when most customers are elaborating about clematis it is more often than not this group they are referring too. There are some fabulous summer flowers. Unfortunately it is this group alone which may on occasion catch the air born disease Clematis Wilt. The other types are grown on different root stock which is not susceptible.Should this occur cut back the plant to the ground  and there is a very good chance it may regrow with no problems. Clematis that perpetually have problems may be in dry uncomfortable position making them stresses and susceptible to ill health.Strong healthy plants of what every variety are also far less vulnerable to disease as organic growing methods serve to prove.Move them ideally to somewhere with their roots in the shade and flowers in the sun. and treat the roots to a sprinkling of bone meal a high potash feed to help them root and flower.0

Group 3 has many clematis in flower now. I also find it the most fun. There are many types in this group including viticella, texensis,terniflora, triternata,orientalis, repens, flammula and heradeleifolia. Some scramble up some spead out and some cover the ground and some are fragrant. A large proportion scramble up very successfully through bushes and trees and make them a perfect second flower on a shrub,hedge, tree or arbour that needs more interest or to compliment what is existing.

If you don't want the flowers to reach the heavens the following year its a good idea to cut the back to a couple of shoots in February. You can do this because they flower late. Remember the verse referring to the spring'  ' If it flowers before June don't prune', should you prune in this instance you would be cutting the flowering shoots off but because these clematis flower late it is the idea time to chop.

Here are  a few examples of type 3 clematis most can be seen scrambling through my garden.

Viticella

 

Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit'

 Viticella types are perfect for scrambling through bushes and tree. They are out in flower now. In my garden they are providing some cheerful interest to a bland green bay, a lovely rich purple Smoke Bush(Cotinus) and in the photo it has scrambled through the lower branches of my beech tree onto my wisteria arch and is doing a spended job. I love growing them through my David Austin rose bushes.

Clematis purpurea 'Plena Elegans' (similar flower to 'Mary Rose')

Viticellas are available in white, pinks,purples, blues and we have some multi petalled varies. Mary Rose is a mauve, lilac flower has been with us since the 1500. They are simply so great at bringing interest clour and flower to an otherwise dull area of the garden but they are not invasive or difficult and your free to cut them back and control how high you want them.

Betty Corning scrambling through the branches of my lime yellow Gledista Sunburst Tree.

Orientalis 

Clematis orientalis ( tangutica) (Bill Mackenzie )

A very popular type 3 clematis often called the orange peal clematis and perhaps best grown against a wall.

Tritenata

Above Clematis tritenata 'Rubro Marginata' (Marsipan scent). I have use this to scramble through a climbing rose.

Flammula
Below the mass of little flowers on both tritenata and flamual clematis are scented.The tritenata at the top of the page is scambling sucessfully through a rose.

Clematis flammula 'Sweet Sensation'

flammula scrambles throgh Lonicera Nitida hedge

This is Clematis Princess of Wales and I have included it because unlike the above it is ideal for scrambling along the ground. Grown very like a herbaceous perennial.

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