This variety of Old Man's Beard produces flowers notable for their size. In June and July, Clematis 'Destiny' displays large, pure white blooms with contrasting purple anthers. You can then enjoy a second flush of these flowers in the late summer, which makes the hardy shrub a valuable source of long-lasting interest in any sunny cottage garden. Height: 1.5m (4'11). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group 2.
Clematis 'Blue Ravine' blooms in late spring/early summer, bearing huge 20cm lavender blue flowers with contrasting purple/red anthers, then again in late summer with slightly smaller flowers. This stunning compact climber will make the biggest impact in your garden from a partially shaded position, as bright sunlight tends to fade the vivid petals. This Old Man's Beard variety is the perfect choice for containers, pergolas, trellises and even peering through garden shrubs. Height: 2.5m (8'). Spread: 1m (3'). Pruning group: 2.
In June, July, August and September, this Old Man's Beard's bright purple and red flowers will catch your eye as soon as you step into your cottage garden. Clematis 'Ashva' is a climbing plant that thrives in the sunlight, so is best grown up a south facing wall, fence or trellis. Once its blooms die off, the hardy shrub can be pruned ready to begin its next colourful season the following spring. Height: 2m (6'7). Spread: 1m (3'3). Pruning group 3.
Clematis 'Apollonia' is a great addition to containers, grown against a trellis, for its white blooms look lovely alongside other Old Man's Beards as well as colourful Jasmines and Roses. This hardy shrub has a particularly compact habit, making it easy to maintain when placed in sunlight or semi-shade. It could also be grown up a fence or a low wall, making for a traditional yet versatile cottage garden plant. Height: 2m (6'7). Spread: 1m (3'3). Pruning group 2.
Clematis 'Ruby' produces elegant, spidery lilac-mauve flowers in a much-needed spring flush from March to April. The fluffy seedheads of this alpina variety of Clematis are just as magnificent and help to add further interest to your garden as they persist throughout the summer. This versatile, climbing Old Man's Beard variety is extremely adaptable, growing strongly in sun or shade and requiring very little pruning. This hardy shrub looks superb climbing up a pergola, against a wall or fence or on a trellis or garden obelisk. Height: 2m (6' 6). Spread: 1m (3' 3). Pruning group: 1.
It's well worth planting this superb clematis to find out just how amazing it looks?and smells! Covered in masses of small purple, delicately scented flowers that look like blossom from July to August, this energetic climber will go on blooming until October! Keeping its appeal well into autumn, the dark green foliage provides an attractive contrast to the flowers at a time when other plants might be starting to fade. The wonderful colour and perfume of 'Sweet Summer Love' are best appreciated if you plant this climbing shrub in a large container, or against a sunny wall or fence, allowing it to clamber up free-standing or wall-mounted supports.
Clematis will transform a dull fence or trellis with their exquisite blooms. Try growng in a patio container or training over obelisks in cottage garden borders.
As a contrast to other Clematis varieties in shades of pink, Clematis 'Warszawska Nike' brings a darker shade to your garden with large, deep maroon/purple open blooms with yellow stamens to highlight the centre of each flower. Clematis 'Warszawska Nike' will flower in July and then another display will follow in September and as this variety has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society you'll know that quality is assured. This hardy climber is happy in full sun so you can feature them on an obelisk or trellis containers on the patio or decking. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 1m (3') Pruning group: 3.
Clematis 'Elsa Spath' will be in bloom from June to September giving you plenty of time to enjoy the strong violet-blue flowers that have a centre of contrasting red anthers. Clematis viticella 'Xerxes', often called 'Elsa Spath' will grow to approx 3m or 10' each season making it suitable for growing amongst mature shrubs, or up against a wall, pergola, trellis or fence. The rich colouring of 'Elsa Spath' lends itself to be placed close to blooms in various shades of pink so that they will complement each other perfectly. Height: 3m (10'). Spread: 1m (3') Pruning group: 2.
A Clematis from the Viticella group, which are deciduous and have medium sized flowers, Clematis viticella 'Royal Velours' flowers from July to September, and produces a mass of 4 sepal, red-violet flowers. It can be planted to scramble amongst other shrubs or up tree trunks, or grown up a trellis on a wall, or attached to a planter. This Clematis thrives in a sunny or partial shade location. It has an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Height: 4m (12'). Spread: 1.5m (5'). Pruning group: 3.
Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit' is a late-flowering Clematis, in bloom from mid-summer through to the autumn. Awarded an RHS AGM for its excellent garden performance, Clematis viticella 'Polish Spirit' produces an abundant array of rich purple flowers with green-white stamens. For a truly stunning display, give this Clematis space to scramble up pergolas, walls and fences. Height: 5m (16'). Spread: 2m (6.5'). Pruning group: 3.