Spring clematis

Ideal for covering a fence, pergola or bare wall, spring clematis are at their best this month. Graham Rice picks five of the best

Is that boundary a bit of a dead spot, all fence and no flowers? Is that wall more brick than blossom? There’s a distinct shortage of choice when it comes to spring-flowering climbers, so thank goodness for this group of colourful, tough-as-nails clematis. Their nodding, often double flowers may be less flamboyant than those of their larger-flowered relations, but they open earlier and in great numbers, over many weeks. The wild species – you’ll sometimes see them grouped under their botanical heading, Atragene Group – are mainly blue, but there are other colours too! And they’re usually followed by silky, silvery seedheads to add a second season of interest later in the year. All are easy to prune. In fact, you can get away with not pruning them at all. Tidy them by snipping out dead growth immediately after flowering if you like or, if they get out of hand, you can be more severe. They’re resistant to clematis wilt, too. Like most clematis, these scramblers cling to their supports by twining their leaf stems, so they need something to attach to. Trellis is ideal, steel lattice works well, as does stout plastic mesh in neutral tones. So no more bare walls and they’re good to direct into spring-flowering shrubs.

Position Happiest in good, but well-drained soil, in any open but not necessarily sunny site. Happy in north- and east-facing situations. Care Provide good support from the start. Tidy up lightly after flowering if necessary. Rejuvenate by pruning harder immediately after flowering. Problems None, although birds sometimes peck out the young flower buds. Where to buy Floyd’s Climbers, floydsclimbers. co.uk, 01249 823200; Raymond Evison, raymond evisonclematis.com, 01481 245942; Taylors Clematis, taylorsclematis.co.uk, 01302 700716; Thorncroft Clematis, thorncroftclematis.co.uk, 01953 850407.