Clematis montana
Clematis montana
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Clematis montana iis native to the warm temperate zone of eastern Asia, where it can be found at elevations up to 4,000 metres. A very cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -20°c or lower[1] Prefers a position where the base of the plant is in cool shade, but the plant can grow up through trees or shrubs into a sunny position[1]. It grows best in a moist but freely draining, humus-rich loamy soil[1]. The plant is commonly grown as an ornamental, often being allowed to grow into trees and large shrubs. It flowersin the spring and generally does not need pruning unless it is growing too large, in which case simply thinning out some of the stems in late winter or early spring before now growth commences is usually all that is needed[1]. The plant will often self-sow in cultivation[1]. The flowers of some forms are fragrant[1].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2, 3]. Sow stored seed as soon as it is obtained in a cold frame. Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible[2]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[2]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Internodal cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, late spring in sandy soil in a frame[3]. Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[3]. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[3]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Clematis+montana>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]Clematis - The Genus — Grey-Wilson. C. · B. T. Batsford. London. · 2000 · ISBN 0-7134-7659-1 ↩︎An excellent and well illustrated concise guide to all the known specis of Clematis.
- [2]Growing from Seed. Volume 4. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1990 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. A good article on Yuccas, one on Sagebrush (Artemesia spp) and another on Chaerophyllum bulbosum.
- [3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [4]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
- [5]Economic Products of India. Volume 1. — Watt. G. · Government of India: Calcutta. · 1883 ↩︎Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.