Clematis and Conifers

I am a huge Montana fan. Just adore them. I notice they love scrambling through conifers. I have a large island bed in the middle of my back lawn (Thanks to the wisdom of the builder who put the septic tank there ) It is in heathers and conifers so I have year round green and flowers when I look out of my kitchen window. Anyway I can't remember the name of this conifer as i am not big on them but it's a blue colour slow growing but after twenty years it was beginning to obstruct so I gave it a haircut, not something I am fond of doing but needs must. I also unwisely sited the bird feeders beside it last year and the front half has died off at the base. I am going to put a hebe there to cover the hole, At the moment my grandchildren are using it as a cave:hehe: Sorry I am blethering on aren't I? There are a few unattractive gaps too. Age i suppose. I don't want to take it down. I had thought of putting a montana there. Easily trimmed at that height and so pretty in the early summer. What do you guys think?

 

Last autumn I planted a small late flowering clematis to grow through a small conifer planted before I came to live here. So far its done well - hopefully it'll prove a good support for the clematis - I'd rather see blue flowers than the conifer!

This spring I planted a montana under a willow that arrived by seed three yeas ago and is now 7 feet tall, despite me pruning it every autumn. The montana is now half way up the willow so I'm hoping next spring it'll be ready to flower.

Go for it (yeah, i'm waffling on now!). Sounds like a good idea - the montana might swamp the conifer eventually though!

 

It is a nice little blather anyway-and of course they are enjoying their new cave-I have a similar thing going on with a holly bush that I allowed the kids to prune into a den ( I know-sheer madness, but it's their garden too and it's a big holly).


I had thought that clematis require very moist and rich soil, and that if confiers do anything they strip the soil of moisture and nutrients. Possibly that isn't the case-just thought I would mention it for further advice.

 

Very good point Lolli. The one thing in it's favour is because the bird feeders were there you wouldn't believe the compost formed from the Nijer seed. I have four growing through a conifer hedge at the side of the garden which also has a 2 foot drop into a field and is backed also by large ash and sycamore. I was very surprised when these Montanas took off and I mean took off. You never can tell. Their roots are shaded from the SW location so I don't know if that has helped. They are so healthy too. Of course we have had two very wet summers. I will be giving them some TLC if the dry weather continues this year I couldn't stand to loose them. I think I'll risk it. The bed is in easy view so I can monitor it. Now............... Marjorie Peveril or Noleen.