Clematis

i'm on a roll tonight, so thought i might just ask how long are Clematis supposed to flower for?
I have a beautiful one, but doesn't flower for long at all, it's a Montana Pink Perfection.

Flowers for about 2 weeks and then, that's it.

Is this normal? the flowers are so beautiful it's such a shame that they don't last longer.

 

this might answer our q!
C. montana Pink Perfection
Masses of beautifully formed soft deep-pink 2-3" (6-8cm) flowers in May and June. Mature height 25-35' (7-10m) (all montana's will have severe frost damage when minimum temperatures fall below 0�¡ to -10�¡F (-12�¡ to -18�¡C). The plants will probably survive, however, the tops will be burnt off and the plants will not bloom.) Pruning group A

 

O dear, should i bring the plant in during Winter? (please excuse my lack of knowledge, but as i said earlier i'm still learning)

Thanks for your help, look forward to your reply...

 

I've never brought a montana in for the winter - not generally a prob, but maybe you might need to cosset it a bit this year, since we're having a nasty one throughout the UK this time - should survive, tough, as it says - but maybe some leaves won't be too good, and might affect the flowering for this year. Fingers crossed!

 

Sorry, (feel stupid now) What's a cosset?

 

I have a Montana Mayleen - it is lovely, but doesn't flower for very long - I did not record the period. I have a number of others - all very young. (all �£1.69 at Morrisons!). I think William Kennett flowered for 15 weeks, and Multiblue for 13 weeks last year, and Hagley Hybrids for 8 weeks.

I say I think, because both W Kennett and Multiblue are blueish as are some others, and although they are spaced along a fence they have overlapped and grown together a bit and I am not always sure which one is flowering.

http://www.climbing-plants.info/Clematis.htm

The above site may be of some help with flowering period. It implies that some like Niobe and The President flower from May to September.

I think Nixon was suggesting some TLC (tender loving care), but I would have thought your Montana was hardy enough. Mine seems happy in Yorkshire and I suspect that, being on the coast, you are a bit warmer than me.

 

Montanas, are hardy plants, if they survive here as they do year on year, Sweet Pea you should have no probs.

 

For some reason I was under the impression it was a new plant, hence the TLC suggestion (quite right Peter S, it's what I meant!) - re-reading it, I see nowhere does it suggest it's a new plant! Montanas can get to be enormous and are extremely hardy in my experience.

 

Nixon, I was wondering how you could cosset a Clematis. I could see you rushing out with a cup of tea, and giving it a copy of "Climbing Weekly" to read. :D :D

 

:D :D :D :D

 

nice picture, PeterS!

 

Montana are better in the ground at a permanant position.
when flowering finished lightly trim, do not cut back.
they can cover an area of 40' X 20' if allowed