Best Winter-Flowering Clematis
Introduction
Winter-flowering clematis are a great way to add color and cheer to your garden during the dull winter months. These hardy plants come in a variety of colors and sizes, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your needs.
Types of Winter-Flowering Clematis
The most common type of winter-flowering clematis is Clematis cirrhosa, which is native to the Mediterranean. Varieties of Clematis cirrhosa include ‘Freckles’, ‘Wisley Cream’, and ‘Jingle Bells’. These clematis are hardy enough to grow outdoors in the UK and flower from November to February.
Other winter-flowering clematis include Clematis napaulensis and Clematis x cartmanii. These clematis are tender and are best suited to growing in a conservatory or greenhouse.
How to Grow Winter-Flowering Clematis
Winter-flowering clematis are relatively easy to grow. Here are a few tips:
- Plant in moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered spot in full sun.
- Keep the roots as dry as possible in winter by planting in the rain shadow of a wall.
- Tie stems into their support initially, after which they will twine themselves.
- Cut back after flowering.
Tender winter clematis should be grown in rich, moisture-retentive peat-free compost in pots in the conservatory or greenhouse. Prune after flowering.
Recommended Varieties
Here are a few recommended varieties of winter-flowering clematis:
- Clematis cirrhosa ‘Wisley Cream’: This variety bears greenish flowers that mature to a creamy white from November to March.
- Clematis cirrhosa ‘Jingle Bells’: This Christmas-flowering variety blooms from December through to March, bearing large, creamy-white flowers.
- Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica: This variety has creamy-white flowers with delicate pink freckles.
- Clematis x cartmanii ‘Avalanche’: This variety bears masses of white flowers against a backdrop of dark-green leaves from February to April.
- Clematis napaulensis: This variety flowers from November to March, with green buds that open to flowers with large purple stamens.
With a little care, you can enjoy the beauty of winter-flowering clematis in your garden for years to come.
