Clematis Montana 'Elizabeth'

Sandra100

Hello!

I couldn't resist a Clematis Montana 'Elizabeth' in Morrisons recently.

I'm still not sure where to put it but I've found out it's slightly scented, so thought it would go well on my north facing front wall (trellised) just by the front door.  However it's completely paved over so would have to go in a (large) pot.

Believe it's quite rampant so worried that it wouldn't do very well there.

Anyone have any clues?

ps have tried to search older posts on this forum but keeps telling me 'runtime error'!!

Fairygirl

There's a wee glitch with the search facility now Sandra, but in answer to your query - no, they're not good pot specimens. They really need to be in the ground. They get big, but, unlike lots of plants which will just remain a bit smaller if put in a pot, montanas aren't happy. They can get very big, but you can also prune them back to fit a space without too much trouble.  

Is there nowhere else you can put it, and perhaps get a more suitable clematis for your pot? 

Hortum-cretae

I wonder what 'runtime error' is?  Never mind, must be something from the modern world. Now, clematis, from the older world, wonderful plants in all their forms, but very few will be happy, long-term, in a pot, so be wary of putting a rampant beast like a montana cultivar in a container that doesn't give her plenty of food and drink.  'Elizabeth' is a beauty, however, so worth the effort where you can see her, just not in the pot.  Have a look for 'Broughton Star' and 'Marjorie', too.  In the pot, I'd go for a clematis alpina form, 'Frankie', 'Blue Dancer' and the like.

H-C

Hortum-cretae

Fairygirl - Snap!

H-C

Sandra100

Ah okay, thanks to you both.  

I'll have a rethink and find a more suitable spot in the ground.

Sandra.

Fairygirl

HC - 

Sorry Sandra - hope you can find somewhere better for her. I had the same one in a garden round the corner from here. Like you - I wanted it at the back door so had it on trellis there, and I then tied new growth in horizontally and vertically all along the boundary fence to the gateway. Lovely in spring when in bloom. 

One of the posters here has planted one in a pot, only last year,  and it's really struggling already.  She's having to rethink where to put it. 

arneil

I grew one in an old dustbin , but it turned up it's toes after a couple of years , and it didn't ever look happy

Sandra100

While I'm here, could I ask if anyone has any suggestions what can go in a large pot at my front door?

North facing with trellis.  Would love something scented!

Thanks!

Sandra100

Oooh no Chloe, I love the flowers and will manage to find somewhere they can grow unhindered!

Richard Hodson

The official spec. for clematis montana Elizabeth is........height  7 to 10 metres.

Tall.

Fairygirl

Sandra - we've just been talking about alpina clematis on another thread. I think most of them are happy enough in pots, and many are scented. Richard ( above) might be able to help you on that though - he's our resident clem expert here and runs a nursery 

I was looking for an early white clem  for a spot in my garden and it's scented ( clue's in the title ) 'Fragrant Oberon'   

It's evergreen,suitable for containers, and any aspect, so might be worth looking at