Rare Clematis

It does work fairly well but sometimes the flowers don't quite get above the shrub foliage so make less impression than they could. This arrangement is brilliant for hiding the bare legs of the clematis and works well in an informal naturalistic setting.

I think this can work with the large flowered clems. They just don't look natural whatever you do with them so you might as well showcase them on their own trellis or support. I think a perennial in front that grows to about 3', hiding any legginess and not providing too much contrast in height with the clematis, looks OK. I agree that it doesn't look good to see bare, tatty clematis stalks with dumpy little plants at the base. Occasionally I've seen very mature clematis with thick, gnarled trunks that were a feature in their own right.

 

Thanks. Defintely some ideas there that will suit me

I wonder about a rope suspended from two poles, to make a gentle dip, and then training a Clematis along that? probably need that all the way along the back of the border, rather than just between two or three poles though.

 

A section on this exact discussion was on Gardener's World tonight; Monty planting a late flowering Clematis up a hazel wigwam and a non-climber to sprawl over a rose bush

 

Back on track.....Sal I have Clematis Macropetala 'Wesselton'. Hardy and spring flowering (it's in bloom now) it has blue flowers with a hint of lilac and they are two to three inches across. It's not rare but it's certainly less common than most.

 

What i was really interested into was the winter beauty or any other that can flower in winter and survive outdoor....

anyone????