Clematis montana Spooneri

The Montana 'Spooneri' Clematis, formerly known as Clematis chrysocoma var. sericea, is a species of mountain clematis with white flowers, speckled with golden yellow stamens. Medium-sized, light, fragrant, they appear abundantly in May-June on vigorous and hardy vines, approximately 7m (23ft) in length. This beautiful clematis will find its place in a romantic or English garden, intertwined with the stems of its sister with pink flowers. It will thrive in full sun or partial shade, in a cool, deep, fertile soil, even in a medium altitude garden.

The 'Spooneri' Clematis Montana, formerly Clematis Montana sericea and sometimes encountered under the name 'Persian Fragrance', is a semi-woody, climbing perennial plant native to the Himalayas, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. It will reach a height of 5 to 7m (16 to 23ft) in a few years, covering an area of 8 to 15m². This excellent garden plant can be planted in many of our regions. It does not require pruning, or only above a height of 2m (7ft). It bears single flowers, small to medium-sized (between 7 and 9cm (3 and 4in) in diameter), which bloom with incredible generosity in May-June, long after the other C. montana have finished flowering. The bisexual flowers are grouped in axillary clusters of 1 to 5 flowers on long pedicels. They appear on the previous year's branches. They have 4 elliptical to oval tepals with undulate edges, overlapping at the base, gracefully open in a star shape with a yellow stamen centre. Infinitely delicate, they are pure white. The flowering is followed by decorative feathery fruits in a graeyish silver colour. The leaves are simple, tripalmate, with irregularly dentate edges, purplish when young, then olive green, in perfect harmony with the immaculate flowers. This clematis clings to the support or host plant through voluble petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside your climbing roses to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It is a genus rich in diversity, with flowers of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their ease of cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. C. montana 'Spooneri', a true spring delight, requires some space to fully display its beauty. It will be magnificent in front of the house, for example, twined around the wrought-iron gate that encloses the garden. It will welcome visitors with its candid and exuberant flowering, reminiscent of carnations. Also, offer it to a dear gardening friend, as this generous and relatively rare clematis is a true gift from nature.

Tips: Avoid excessive fertilisation that stimulates foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch to avoid excessive moisture that promotes wilt disease.