MONTY’S PLANT OF THE WEEK

One of the last clematis to flower, this is now a mass of primrose yellow bells in my own garden. It is very vigorous and is ideal for growing into a large tree – I have one growing up an apple tree that is now nearly 30 years old but still the clematis reached the very top. The little bonnet-shaped flowers with upturned sepals are scented and add to the pleasure of sitting beneath the cloud of bloom savouring some autumnal sunshine. It originated in China and was brought to this country in 1908 by the famous plant hunter Ernest Wilson.