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Going nuts over Clematis indecision

LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
in Plants
I'm considering clematis for my fence. I don't want something that will overwhelm the perennials in front, and something that looks natural-ish. Smallish flowers, mauve-purple colour palette, type 3, it's sunny fairly dry spot. Good tidy foliage, doesn't look a mess after flowering, late flowering is better. Vigorous but keeping to the fence supports rather than making a scrambling thicket. These are my first considerations, does anyone have any thoughts or alternatives?

Clematis-viticellajpg
Plain viticella. I like the colour a lot.

See the source image
Betty Corning. I love the neat flowers. My favourite of the three but the colour's a bit too close to the Aster Monch which will be in front of it.

See the source image
x triternata Rubromarginata. I like it but will it become a bit of a mad thicket?
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I also like the look of that autumn flowering one, ternifolia is it? With the small white flowers.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • lilysillylilysilly Posts: 511
    I have a  Betty Corning clematis in full sun. It's beautiful and sweetly scented and is bulking up well. It does fade out to almost white though in the sun. It also needs a very thorough watering in high summer as its quite leafy and vigorous.
    I would recommend Polish Spirit. Mine has bulked up well from the base. The flowers are lovely and its very healthy. 
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Another vote for Polish Spirit.
    Mine scrambles up a fence and into shrubs.
    flowers for ages and then at the right time it can be cut right back to a couple of feet.
    This is it today:-


    and last July:-

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I also have Polish Spirit and like it a lot but find it's very vigorous.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    The autumn flowering terniflora is lovely, scented but a monster. This year I am on  top of the tying in and training as I check it daily but turn your back and it's all over the place.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited April 2020
    I have an Etoile Violet (I think) on one end of the fence which is quite similar to that Polish Spirit (performs well despite being in shallow dry soil in a hot spot). I was thinking of something with more delicate / less conspicuous flowers. I do like the look of terniflora, actually, it would make a good 'background plant' (what I'm really after). Do you cut yours down each year @K67?
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    edited April 2020
    Yes down to a foot or so, that's one seasons growth in the photo which was taken in October and it flowers for ages.
    The only drawback is the leaves on the lower stems die back but if you have planting in front that would cover them. 
    I have moved the miscanthus grass to grow in front but I seem to have killed it!
    Also have and have had in the past the x triternata Rubromarginata but neither plant performed well 
  • lilysillylilysilly Posts: 511
    Have a look at clematis "Fascination". I bought this one last year and was charmed by its little bell flowers. It has a nice metallic sheen to its petals. My plant is growing strongly again this year. 
    The bees loved it, very cute watching little furry bee bottoms backing out of the flowers. My dog would sit there transfixed watching them. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    It personally like clems whose flowers I can see. I have a Freckles but they all droop downwards, which feels like a waste.
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    Hi. You mention Freckles, I saw it advertised but wasn’t sure of the colour, is it a dull muddy pink. Thanks Valerie 
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