Clematis

[KayJay]

Hi everyone. I recently bought this clematis from the discount shelf in a superstore .
Can anyone identify it,and how big will it grow?. At the moment it's about 18inches high, covered in flowers about 2inches at the most. Thanks

[WendyC]

Looks like "Avalanche". I have it in a big pot by my back door. RHS says it grows to 3m, but it isn't a very vigorous one.

[Bigmallly]

Was going to go for Montana at this time of year but have changed my mind & gone for an early Florida.

[mothhawk]

I agree with Wendy, it's a cartmanii type, keeps its leaves all year and supposed to be winter flowering. I have one, it put up one stem last year then sulked, and the other stems died back. It needs support, it won't twizzle itself around canes or trellis.

I moved mine in disgust behind the daleks, and it has a grand total of 3 leaves now.

My 7 other (Spring/summer flowering) clematis grow extremely well, so I reckon this one is a bit picky and sulky.

[mothhawk]

Forgot to say, mine is in the ground. Maybe it would prefer a pot...

[Jay22]

Just about to prune our clematis Montana...would it take a hard prune at this time of year?

[Martin H]

Just about to prune our clematis Montana...would it take a hard prune at this time of year?

Yes, this is the best time to do it. Montana is tough and vigorous and doesn't suffer from the dreaded Clematis Wilt, you can chop it back as much as you want. It will grow back during summer and autumn and that new growth will have the flowers on next spring.

I haven't got room for Montana in my current garden, but in my last place I had two: "Alba" with large white flowers and "Rubra" with pink flowers and a reddish tinge to the leaves and stems. Lovely plants. Which one have you got?

[Jay22]

Thanks Martin, all done! I'm not sure which one I have but it looks very much like Rubra, beautiful scent too. Fingers crossed it comes back. It was huge and as we cut it back we found it is full of beige coloured branches underneath which look dead but when you cut through are fresh and green inside. Really love it and affords us a lot of privacy when in the garden.