Less vigorous Clematis montana varieties may be ideal for those seeking a smaller climber, as opposed to the often rampant nature of this plant species.
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Get your hands on the lush, vibrant beauty of Clematis montana at Val Le Neville-Parry's garden, By The Way, nestled in Salisbury, Wiltshire! This garden houses over 200 plants across 50 named varieties and cultivars. Make room for these captivating climbers in your garden or even a big pot, as there are compact varieties suitable for smaller landscapes!
Although some Clematis montana species can reach heights of 8m or more, careful breeding has resulted in more manageable varieties that thrive in smaller spaces. With flowering seasons longer than expected, starting early in March and running well into late June, plus the addition of charming seedheads in autumn and winter, you'll savor these plants' allure all year round!
Val praises the leaves as much as the flowers, sharing her favorite recommendations here (note that some varieties can only be found at By The Way). These leaves, coupled with the blooms, make Clematis montana a must-have for your garden.
Growing and Pruning
Medium and Large Clematis montana
More vigorous types of Clematis montana are versatile plants that can reach heights of 8m or more, with some cultivars reaching 10-12m, depending on conditions. Val uses these to transform hedges and adds visual interest to her garden with a Clematis montana var. grandiflora embellishing a laurel hedge. Clematis and laurel are pruned together, thriving on this symbiotic relationship. The expansive Clematis montana var. wilsonii can be used as ground cover where space allows. It forms a beautiful, scented carpet of whitish-cream flowers in early summer.
Compact Clematis montana
Many Clematis montana varieties and cultivars have been bred for a more compact habit, growing to approximately 4-7m. Perfect for climbing over arches, obelisks, or mature trees, these compact varieties deliver an extraordinary vertical contrast to your garden. They will even grow successfully in large pots (minimum 50 liters) with a loam-based medium and regular watering and slow-release fertilizer.
Combine compact Clematis Montana with later-flowering Clematis viticella or encourage them to scramble up plant supports, obelisks, or poles to instill captivating vertical interest in your garden.
Pruning Clematis montana
Clematis montana belongs to Pruning Group 1. These plants don't require regular pruning, but if they become too large or leggy, trim them back after flowering, in spring. Regular pruning encourages strong growth and increased flowering, ensuring that flowers remain at eye level without tangled, bare stems at the base.
For a comprehensive guide on pruning clematis and other climbing plants, check out our expert advice!
The Best Clematis montana to Grow
Medium to Large Clematis montana
- Clematis montana var. grandiflora (Hardiest and most reliable, fully vigorous montana with open, pure-white blooms starting late spring)
- Clematis Giant Star ('Gistar'): Large-flowered cultivar with cup-shaped, mid-pink blooms that mature to fully open and face upward
- Clematis 'Victoria Welcome': Delicate creamy-white blooms with dark green leaves, not yet commercially available
- Clematis 'Marilyn': Mauve-pink blooms with narrow, cream-eyed tepals that mature to fully open blooms
- Clematis 'Broughton Star': Medium-growing double montana with abundant, dusky-pink blooms displayed against dark, bronze-tinted foliage
Compact Clematis montana
- Clematis montana 'By The Way' (Selected seedling with attractive, soft-pink, fragrant blooms)
- Clematis 'Marjorie': Semi-double flowers with creamy-white outer tepals, becoming pink at the edges against a backdrop of full sun
- Clematis montana var. rubens 'Veitch' (Small, open blooms with rounded tepals of deep mauve-pink with pale stamens)
- Clematis 'Van Gogh' (Early blooming with cherries pink blooms continuing for up to six weeks, perfectly suited to a large pot in a sheltered situation)
- Clematis 'Primrose Star': Compact cultivar featuring fully double pale lemon-yellow flowers with pink edges
- Clematis 'Freda' (One of the best compact singles, discovered by Freda Deacon, open, lightly fragrant, mauve-pink blooms)
- Clematis 'The Jewell' (Val's favorite, featuring apple blossom-like blooms in various shades of pink from late spring through autumn)
Apart from these recommended options, other compact varieties like Clematis montana Mayleen, Clematis montana Marjorie, and Clematis montana rubens Freda are excellent choices for smaller gardens or pots[3][4]. Proper pruning and container care are vital to maintaining their size. If you're looking for non-vining or more shrub-like clematis suitable for compact spaces or pots, options like Clematis ‘Arabella’ and Clematis integrifolia are worth considering[1]. Happy gardening!
[1] https://www.bbc.com/gardening/advice/plants/details/clematis-arabella[2] https://www.alicshipson.co.uk/blogs/caring-for-clematis[3] https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/clematis-montana-mayleen/[4] https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=583948
- The captivating Clematis montana 'By The Way', a compact variety with soft-pink, fragrant blooms, is exclusive to Val Le Neville-Parry's home-and-garden, By The Way, and is perfect for smaller landscapes, aligning with the lifestyle of those who appreciate gardening.
- For gardeners seeking a more manageable version of Clematis montana, the compact cultivar 'Primrose Star' is an excellent choice, offering fully double pale lemon-yellow flowers with pink edges that can thrive in larger pots.
- To instill vertical interest in smaller gardens, consider growing the compact Clematis montana 'The Jewell', one of Val's favorites, which features apple blossom-like blooms in various shades of pink from the early spring months through autumn, making it a stunning addition to your home-and-garden lifestyle.
