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A growing interest in species clematis

© Lorraine Flanigan

Clematis hybrids have become garden essentials, colouring our gardens, clamouring through shrubs and up trees, and softening wooden trellises, stone walls and brick pathways. As GardenImport's Duguld Cameron puts it,"climbers like company," and the smaller-flowered species clematis are among the most social of climbers for your garden. These little gems are vigorous growers with lacy foliage and fluffy seedheads that provide interest throughout the seasons. Here are some of the best species clematis to try this spring.

Alpinas scramble over fences
Clematis alpina 'Constance' is a rich purple-pink clematis with semi-double, nodding flowers. Most alpina clematis love to scramble along the ground, over fences or through shrubs. For the most part, they flower in spring, usually from April to May. Clematis are classified into three major groups that make it easy to know how to prune them. Like most species clematis, alpinas belong to Group One. Vines in this category generally require little pruning, simply the remove dead or weak stems. Alpinas are tough enough to survive the winters in Zone 4, so are ideal for southern Ontario gardens.

Use clematis for ground cover
Some species clematis are more suited as ground covers than as climbers, Clematis , durandii has a non-clinging habit so that it prefers to wander along the floor of a flower bed than to climb a trellis or fence. It has deep indigo blue flowers about 8 cm (3") long. Another clematis that makes an excellent ground cover is Clematis jouiniana. Its thick, fleshy foliage forms a dense cover, making it a perfect foil for the pink-blushed white flowers that blossom from July to September. Both of these clematis are members of prunign Group Three, so prune in early spring before new growth starts. Prune back withered stems to a leaf bud at about 15 cm (6") above ground level.

Late-blooming heracleifolias
Clematis hereacleifolia are among the hardiest of the species clematis, hardy to Zone 3. Brought from China to Britain's Kew Gardens in the 18th century, these subshrubs grow only to about 60 cm (2') but spread twice their height. A stunning new introduction is 'China Purple' with dark green foliage and the distinctive hyacinth-like flowers that mark most heracleifolias. The deep purple flowers bloom from July until September. Members of pruning Group Three, these vines produce flowers on new stems that begin to grow each spring. Prune early in spring before new growth starts. Prune back wintered stems to a leaf bud at about 15 cm (6") above ground level.

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