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Summer companion for a winter-flowering Clematis?

HumbleBeeHumbleBee Posts: 105
in Plants
Hi All
Was wondering if anyone can think of a flowering climber that will work practically with a winter-flowering (group 1) Clematis? I am planning to grow Clematis 'Winter Beauty' on an arch - it is evergreen and flowers December/January time. It has lovely lush green foliage but in summer it will just be plain green, so I was wondering if there is an easy summer-flowering climber I could add to the arch which will not interfere too much with the Winter Beauty and works pruning-wise? The arch has sun most of the day except morning. 
Any suggestions much appreciated :)

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  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790

     There are plenty of Summer flowering clematis that will look good on your arch, every colour imaginable, some scented.   Be aware of Winter Beauty, read this Clematis on the Web page, where it is described as ' not hardy and suffers from phytophthora if over watered '

    http://www.clematis.hull.ac.uk/new-clemdetail.cfm?dbkey=3040

  • HumbleBeeHumbleBee Posts: 105

    Thanks Richard, had to look up Phytophthora as never heard of it but it sounds nasty!  :o

    I have a Winter Beauty elsewhere in the garden which I only planted in September and it seems to have survived the recent battering of frost and snow without any protection at all. Leaves were in a bit of a sorry state by the end, but having cut those back I can see it has lots of new green shoots so hopefully has survived ok. 

    Generally where I am (in Sussex) the winters are fairly mild - this is the coldest one we’ve had for quite a few years so I’m hoping that it might be OK as it looked lovely in December/January when it was flowering.  Where I am planning to plant the new one is in soil which is very well-draining and unlikely to get over-watered. I guess it may have to be a bit of an experiment (but I'll keep on eye out for any sign of nasties!) … :p

    If I add another clematis does it not have to be Group 1 as well for pruning reasons? 

  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790
    Not necessarily, you can combine 2 different pruning groups of clematis to prolong the flowering season, Group 3's are best up here in Lancashire, just chop them down hard in Spring, then every year you have more flowering stems than the year before, therefore more flowers, superb displays all Summer.
  • HumbleBeeHumbleBee Posts: 105
    I like things that can be chopped down hard in spring (particularly if you make a mess of things the first time you try growing them!) so I'll have a look through the Group 3s - many thanks for the tip! :) 
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