Clematis to cover a wall

okedoke · 04-12-2017 03:57PM #1

I want to plant some clematis to cover a wall behind a flower bed. The wall is c. 5.5 ' high and maybe 20' long. Because there are a lot of perennials in the bed, I think its best to plant the clematis that you cut right back in spring and then i wont have to climb through the perennials to prune it during the growing season.

I've bought galvanised vine eyes, wire and tensioners and plan on putting 5/6 horizontal wires across the wall. I'm wondering how many clematis I would want to cover this size of wall (obviously different varieties have different growth rates so there may be no answer to this one). Also, for this type of clematis, i know if flowers in late summer but does it have a reasonable foliage cover from early summer?

currants · 04-12-2017 08:34PM

Look for the spread when you're buying them. I have an early flowering one (pixie)that is still a dwarf after 4 years, it will always be a dwarf as it only spreads .5m

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-plant-clematis/

Monty's always good for planting tips.

smacl · 09-12-2017 01:51PM

There a good site here that allows you select by colour and aspect, I have a Dark Eyes on a wall that gets no light which always puts up a good show. I've also had to remove a few more vigorous species that got too big, so as above, keep an eye on spread.

my3cents · 10-12-2017 10:38AM

Another one to give some thought to is Clematis armandii. Evergreen flowering in February, needs full sun. Not a plant I'd associate with pruning other than pointing it in the right direction and tidying up.

A classic that might suit that I'd prefer to give just a tiny bit more height to but does take to cutting back hard every year is Vyvyan Pennell.

Clematis to cover a wall

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