Clematis montana Starlet White Perfume - Anemone Clematis

Clematis Starlet White Perfume is a variety of C. montana with white double flowers that begin to appear as early as April. Remarkable for its abundant spring flowering, this vigorous climber is adorned with a subtle pleasant fragrance. This vigorous plant can easily cover a pergola or arbour. Let it climb into a tree to create a dazzling scene. This hardy climber grows in neutral soil in full sun or partial shade. Provide it with a support to which its voluble stems will cling.

Clematis is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, like anemones, trollius, hellebores, and many other ornamental genera. With about 300 species, the genus Clematis includes numerous climbers, but also some herbaceous perennials, such as C. stans. C. montana, the mountain clematis, is native to China and the Himalayas, where it grows up to 4000m (13123ft) altitude. It was discovered in this mountain range in 1817, before being introduced to Europe in 1831. This deciduous climber, with rapid growth, can reach heights of up to 10m (33ft) in trees or any other support, thanks to its voluble branches. It flowers in spring, producing small, lightly scented pale-pink flowers.

Starlet White Perfume is a double-flowered cultivar, with a beautiful white colour and a larger diameter than the species. The lightly scented flowering lasts for several weeks, extending from April to May, or even June. The bisexual flowers are grouped in axillary clusters of 1 to 5 flowers with long pedicels, and appear on the previous year's branches. The sepals have a petal-like appearance (they are then called sepals) and differ in that they are folded in the width direction. The green stamens harmonise beautifully with the white of the corolla. The flowers are clustered in the upper half of the plant, which can climb from 5 to 10m (16 to 33ft) in height. This large climber is spectacular, especially if provided with a support high enough for it to reach its full development. This clematis clings to the support or host plant thanks to its voluble petioles, transformed into tendrils. The leaves, on the other hand, are divided into 3 irregularly toothed lobes.

It is hardy down to -30°C (-22°F). It grows in ordinary, neutral, moist but not too dry soil, in a sunny to semi-shaded exposure. It does not require pruning. Instead, provide it with a support to spread out comfortably.

This vigorous climbing plant will quickly cover a large area, be it along a fence, up a trellis, or over an arbour. It is particularly suitable for climbing into the branches of a tree. Starlet White Perfume can be used to brighten up a slightly dull Italian poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica'). If you plant it at the base of a wall, you can grow it with other clematis with less vigorous growth, which will then fill the lower part of the plant with their flowering.

Avoid excessive use of fertilisation, as it promotes foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Avoid mulching to prevent excessive moisture, which can lead to disease.