How to Grow Clematis Montana

Written by Hannah Miller. Reviewed and Fact Checked by Elizabeth Smith. Published to Spring Plants. Updated: 20th February 2023.

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I’ve grown clematis montana over trellis and fences on numerous occasions, and despite it being decidious (loses leaves in winter), I’ve found it an excellent choice for masking ugly areas of the garden.

This clematis is fast-growing and in my garden, it produces hundreds of pinkish-white flowers in late spring.

Key points:

1. Clematis montana can grow over 10 metres in ideal conditions although I’ve never grown mine more than 6 metres, which is still impressive.
2. It’s fast-growing and mine grew over 1 metre each year.
3. My clematis montana blooms in May and June.
4. The flowers last up to 4 weeks.
5. Four petals surround distinctive yellow anthers.
6. This shrub flowers on old wood, so you should only prune to control its shape and size.
7. Deciduous – loses its leaves in the autumn and winter.
8. I could smell the fragrance in the spring, it’s strong and pleasant.

Growing Clematis: My Answers to Common Questions

Below I’ll answer questions you may have about this spring climber that I’ve been growing for over 4 years:

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Growing Clematis: At a Glance

If you’re thinking of growing clematis montana for the first time, here my ten key pointers:

1. Grow in full sun or partial shade in moist but not soggy soil.
2. Protect the plant’s crown from sunlight and heat by covering it with pebbles, bark, grasses or other plants.
3. Feed and water regularly during the growing season.
4. Clematis montana is not self-clinging, so it will require training or tying in.
5. Expect hundreds of flowers in May and June; based on my experience, these should last up to 4 weeks.
6. Blooms only appear on old wood, so if you prune aggressively, it may not flower well the following season but from my past experience, I believe it will recover.
7. Pruning is optional but I suggest you do so to keep the plant in check.
8. Clematis montana will smother out many other plants, it certainly did in my garden.
9. This clematis is deciduous; it will lose its leaves in the autumn.
10. Some clematis plants have a distinct vanilla fragrance, and all provide shelter for insects and small birds.

I Recommend This Varieties

Here are 3 clematis montana varieties I recommend:

“Freda” is a less vigorous variety reaching up to 5 metres in height and produces rose-pink flowers on dark green foliage. I feel that this montana is more suited to smaller gardens, climbing up posts and pergolas etc.

“Majorie” is the first-ever double-flowered clematis and boasts soft pink and cream blooms against slightly tinted foliage. Fast-growing and reaching around 7 metres in ideal conditions.

“Grandiflora” is the clematis I’m currently growing and it’s reliable, fast-growing and can reach 10 metres in around 5 years. Pure white flowers come into display slightly later in spring and early summer.

Clematis Companion Plants

Clematis montana is a vigorous climber, and while it may smother out other plants, I’ve found that it can, with care, be paired with:

• Climbing roses.
• Ivy, although care and attention will be required as the ivy may strangle the clematis.
• Wisteria.
• I’ve seen it wrapped around tree trunks (but keep the soil moist).
• Larger or rambling shrubs such as honeysuckle – let the clematis weave over and through the shrubs to add interest.
• Annuals and grasses can be planted at the base of the clematis, where it provides shelter and colour.

Alternatives to Clematis: My Suggestions

There are several alternatives that I have experience growing or have seen thrive in positions that clematis does well in:

The climbing hydrangea is the most obvious alternative and is better suited to more shaded parts of the garden. I’ve seen it cover north-facing walls in gardens and even on houses.

Ivy can cover and mask walls and fences just as well, if not better, than clematis.

Chinese virginia creeper is less vigorous than its well-known relative; the virginia creeper and is more suited to smaller gardens. I’ve seen it grown in sun and partial shade where it produces delightful green leaves with white and pink veins.

The false hydrangea is a vine alternative to the climbing hydrangea and, from what I’ve seen, is less vigorous and easier to control.

Also, consider climbing honeysuckle, which I’ve seen growing over pergolas and arches.

Need to cover vertical space quickly?

Read our guide to the top 10 of the fastest-growing climbing plants.

Daniel’s Pro Tip

Here is a quote from Daniel, our co-founder:

Clematis montana is the fastest growing clematis that I’ve grown sucessfully over walls, pergolas and arches.

I’ve always found the flowers are a delightful welcome sight in spring and unlike many other climbers, the blooms last for up to 4 weeks.

I recommend keeping the root area out of direct sunlight as much as possible by careful location or by growing grasses, plants or even placing rocks and pebbles above the soil.

– Daniel Woodley

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