Clematis montana Marjorie

The Clematis ‘Marjorie’, commonly known as Montana clematis ‘Marjorie’, is recognisable for its semi-double to double flowers in an unusual colouring, blending salmon pink, pale copper and cream. Its narrow, pointed petals and ruffled appearance set it apart from the usual single flowers of the Montana group. This vigorous variety flowers abundantly in late spring, against young foliage tinged with bronze. It will climb over a large pergola, a sturdy fence or a tree robust enough to support its growth.

This clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and to the horticultural group of double-flowered Montana clematis. It is the result of a sowing of Clematis montana var. wilsonii, a botanical form native to south-west China. ‘Marjorie’ was raised in the United Kingdom by Marjorie Free, after whom it is named, and was introduced in 1980 by the English nurseryman Jim Fisk. It is a woody, deciduous climbing plant, capable of reaching 6 m in height with a 3 m spread. Its rapid growth allows it to cover a large area within a few years. Its slender stems cling to wires, branches or trellis bars thanks to the leaf stalks, which twine around their support. The leaves are formed of three oval, toothed leaflets. Initially bronze to purplish bronze, they turn green as they develop. Between May and June depending on the climate, the shoots formed the previous year become covered with flowers measuring 5 to 7 cm in diameter. They bear several rows of narrow petals, pointed at the tip. The outer petals, cream to pale pink, are often marked with a pale central band; those at the centre take on deeper tones, salmon pink or rosy copper. The intensity of the colours and the number of petals may vary slightly according to climatic conditions and the age of the plant. Cream stamens with yellow anthers occupy the heart of the flower. After flowering, feathery fruits appear, remaining decorative for some time. This variety prefers a deep soil that retains moisture, but not waterlogged. It tolerates clay soils when well-drained, as well as chalky soils. In northern regions, it can be planted in full sun. Hardy to around -15 °C, it requires a position sheltered from cold winds in continental and montane gardens.

This large clematis ‘Marjorie’ is planted against a wall fitted with sturdy wires, on a pergola or at the foot of an already well-established tree, such as a well-structured ornamental crab apple. It is less suited to a trellis, which will quickly be overwhelmed by its growth. For a longer flowering period, it can be paired with the Clematis viticella ‘Alba Luxurians’, whose white flowers marked with green bloom in summer. At the foot of ‘Marjorie’, the Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Green Apples’, the Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Spessart’ and the Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ form a spring border in cream, pinkish white, blue and silver tones. These perennials keep the soil shaded and appreciate a humus-rich soil that does not dry out too much in summer.