Clematis Help

Hi all - I'm new here so please be gentle with me!!

I am building a pergola in my garden in the next couple of weeks. Its going to be built against a north facing wall and I am looking for a couple of clematis to grow up the two front posts.

I would like something pretty, fast growing and which would require minimal maintenance. As the wall is north facing it obviously can't require full sun and I am going to be planting straight into the ground but the soil is not the best - its very clay-like. I also need something that flowers for as long as possible and can be planted at the same time as building the pergola.

Any suggestions would be most welcome

 

Hi Cowbags; other than Clematis a Honeysuckle would be a good choice, nice flowers and scent and will grow in the conditions you describe.

Clematis wise you could go for a Montana, they grow very quick and will flower well, but unless your prepared to control/train it, it will quickly swamp your pergola in a few years. Perhaps have a look at the 'Alpina' group of Clematis instead :thumb:

Whatever you plant I would recommend improving the planting hole with compost or well rotted manure before planting and filling the hole with water and let it soak away, then add a little fish blood and bone meal and plant whatever you pick and water in; this way it will get a good start :thumb:

 

herewith a few clematis that grow fine in a north aspect, but double check on google before buying/choosing:

Buy clematis (group 2) Clematis 'Nelly Moser': Delivery by Crocus.co.uk

http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-will-tolerate-shade/

Search for Climbers - Clematis: Quality Garden Plants from Crocus.co.uk

a few more:

Climbing Plants Direct

and some new ones:
Climbing Plants Direct

Climbing Plants Direct
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and, on a side note:

if you plant a combination with the following 5 clematis against a sunny wall, you will have flowers for 12 months of the year ...

ideally, work out the width/spread of each clematis, and try and plant so that the whole wall will have flowers at any particular time i.e. you will need to plant more than one of the same species ... I have not tried it yet, but might do so in the future if given an opportunity:

cirrhosa Balearica ... flowers january to march and is evergreen

http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-balearica.html


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armandii Appleblossom ... flowers march to april

http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-armandii-apple-blossom.html

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alpina Ocean Pearl .... flowers april and may

http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-ocean_pearl.html

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New World Collection Amethyst Beauty ... flowers june to october

http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-amethyst-beauty.html

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cirrhosa Freckles ... flowers november to february

http://www.taylorsclematis.co.uk/clematis-freckles.html

 

First welcome Cowbags

would recommend Alpinas as you get a 2nd flush of blooms.

Also would look nice climbing scented roses.

Good luck