Clematis montana Van Gogh

Clematis ‘Van Gogh’ is a variety of Clematis montana that boasts an uncommon colour within this group, well-known for its white or light pink flowers. Its spring flowers have a pale pink centre and are broadly edged in purplish red, blooming among young leaves tinged with bronze and purple. Lightly fragrant and vigorous, without reaching the dimensions of the biggest montana varieties, it will cover a pergola, fence, or small tree in just a few years. This clematis requires no annual pruning.

This clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It is a perennial, woody climbing plant: its supple, purplish new shoots lengthen in spring, then turn brown and become woody over the weeks. They do not twine themselves around a support; instead, the leaf stalks (petioles) cling to twigs, wires, or fairly thin bars they encounter. The foliage is deciduous, meaning it falls in autumn and reappears in spring. Each leaf is generally divided into three irregularly toothed or lobed leaflets. They are purplish when they unfold, gradually becoming dark green. 'Van Gogh' was selected in the Netherlands by Wim Straver in 2001, then introduced commercially in 2008 and registered in 2009. This cultivar was named in homage to the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. This climber usually reaches 4 to 5m in height and can spread 1.50 to 2.50m wide. Its growth remains easier to contain than that of some Montana clematis, which are capable of far exceeding 8m. It flowers in May on shoots developed the previous year. The single, flat or nearly flat flowers measure 5 to 6cm in diameter and face upwards or outwards. Their four rounded sepals are pale pink in the middle, purplish red towards the edges. This colouring varies slightly from flower to flower and with age. The light-coloured stamens occupy the centre of the corolla. A light fragrance accompanies this flowering, particularly noticeable when the plant bears many flowers. The hardiness of this variety is around –15 °C. Late frosts can damage young shoots or flower buds.

On a pergola or large wire fence, 'Van Gogh' can be planted with the climbing rose 'Madame Alfred Carrière'. Its creamy white roses follow the purplish flowering of the clematis and repeat throughout the summer. The two plants should be trained separately so that the clematis does not disappear under the rose's long stems. Nearby, a shrub such as Hydrangea quercifolia 'Snowflake' will flower in long white panicles from July onwards, followed by beautiful autumn colours. At the base of the support, a few snowy woodrushes form soft, evergreen clumps in winter, topped in June-July with small silvery-white flower clusters. Their woodland appearance reinforces the rustic character of the whole while keeping the clematis's roots shaded.

Advice: avoid excessive fertiliser, which stimulates foliage at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch to prevent excessive moisture that encourages clematis wilt disease.