Please put a name to our two clematis
Q
Please can help identify these two clematis? They are growing in my father-in-law’s garden, but he can’t remember the names.
Darren and Vicky Miner, via email
ABoth are large-flowered hybrids. The very fetching blue one appears to be ‘Multi Blue’.
As for the pink-flowered form, it is almost certainly ‘Crystal Fountain’, also known as ‘Fairy Queen’.
Both bloom prolifically in summer and grow to about 8ft (2.4m) high and across. Ideally, prune them in March, shortening all stems to just above a pair of buds 6-8in (15-20cm) from the base.
You can also give them another prune in summer after they have flowered, and you should also remove any damaged, dead and weak stems
Clematis like to grow in moist, fertile soil that is shaded, but they like their blooms in the sun.
They are hungry plants and reward us well when fed monthly with a balanced fertiliser, such as Vitax Q4, and watered copiously in dry weather.