Written by: Justin Turner
Plant of the month: Clematis
Clematis are one of those plants that quietly do it all. They climb without taking over, flower for months on end, and squeeze into the smallest gardens. From dainty spring blooms to big, show-stopping summer flowers, there’s a clematis for almost every space – and they’re far more beginner-friendly than their reputation suggests.
Whether you’re growing up a fence, softening a wall, or adding height to a large patio pot, clematis reward a little plant care and know-how with years of colour. These members of the buttercup family are also brilliant for pollinators, offering nectar when bees and other insects really need it.
Why gardeners love clematis
Clematis earn their place in the garden because they’re versatile, long-lived and easy to slot almost anywhere. You can grow them in borders, suitably large containers, or trained up trellises, arches and obelisks. Many cultivated varieties and species are compact enough for urban gardens, while others are perfect for covering large structures.
With flowers in almost every colour – whites, pinks, purples, reds, blues and even zingy yellows – plus a wide range of shapes and sizes, clematis are also great companion plants for other climbers such as climbing and rambling roses, as they flower from late winter right through to autumn. Pick the right succession of clematis from the different groups, and you can have blooms for most of the year.
