Clematis cirrhosa
This is the early clematis for any garden. The named varieties are derived from wild plants that grow across the Mediterranean and have often been specially selected for their hardiness, so will grow almost anywhere in the country. In the very coldest areas a west-facing wall is ideal.
Evergreen, with prettily ferny foliage, and in between the other two groups in vigour, these winter and early springflowering varieties feature dainty bells lining the branches. Good on most walls and fences, even on a north-facing wall in mild areas, the flowers are often delicately speckled or boldly splashed and, like the distantly related hellebores, the nodding flowers repay turning them up to check the internal pattern. The earliest from December are ‘Jingle Bells’, with pure white bells and a slightly lemony scent; ‘Lansdowne Gem’, with flowers dull red on the inside and cream on the outside, and the whiteflowered ‘Wisley
Cream’ with a hint of green. Others, including the densely spotted ‘Freckles’, start to flower a little later. All will make 1.8-2.4m (6-8ft), depending on pruning.
Pruning: Can be pruned after
flowering, lightly or boldly depending on the need.