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best clematis varieties

Clematis are beloved across New Zealand gardens for their spectacular displays of flowers, their versatility, and the sheer variety of colours and forms on offer. If you’re searching for the best clematis varieties to enhance your garden, this guide highlights must-have options, their unique characteristics, and tips for choosing the right clematis for your space. Whether you want a vigorous climber for quick coverage, scents to perfume your patio, or subtle pastel hues, you’ll find a clematis to suit every purpose.

Why Choose Clematis for Your Garden?

Renowned for their climbing habit, clematis are often regarded as the “Queen of Climbers.” They excel at covering fences, trellises, arbours, and can even be trained into small trees and shrubs. Many varieties offer an extended flowering season, starting in late spring and carrying through summer or even into autumn. With careful selection, it’s possible to have blooms almost all year round.

Top Clematis Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Clematis armandii

For evergreen foliage and sweetly scented, starry white flowers, Clematis armandii stands out as a top choice. This vigorous clematis flowers in early spring, making it perfect for screening fences and providing year-round interest. Its glossy, lance-shaped leaves add visual appeal even when not in bloom.

Clematis montana

When it comes to a robust, easy-care climber, Clematis montana is a standout among the best clematis varieties. Known for its sheer profusion of pink or white blossoms in late spring, this variety rapidly covers pergolas, sheds, or large walls with its fragrant, four-petalled flowers.

Clematis montana rubens 'Freda'

Gardeners who adore a burst of neat, compact colour love Clematis montana rubens 'Freda'. This charming cultivar sports deep pink blooms and bronze-tinted young foliage. Unlike some montana types, 'Freda' has a more manageable growth habit—excellent for smaller trellises or fences.

Clematis montana 'Elizabeth'

Soft, blush pink and a delightful vanilla fragrance make Clematis montana 'Elizabeth' a classic choice. Her luxurious flowers and vigorous growth habit make her a go-to for gardeners wanting reliable spring colour and scent in the landscape.

Clematis montana 'Marjorie'

If you’re seeking a clematis with a unique flair, Clematis montana 'Marjorie' is loved for its double, semi-pompom pink and white flowers. Fast-growing and floriferous, she brings a touch of elegance to arches and pergolas.

Tips for Choosing the Best Clematis for Your Space

Location: Most clematis prefer roots in the shade and flowers in the sun. Plant the base in cool, moist, well-drained soil and train shoots toward light.
Support: Provide a solid structure for your clematis to climb—these vines thrive when allowed to clamber and stretch.
Pruning: Different varieties have different pruning needs; montanas typically require minimal maintenance, while large-flowered varieties may need regular trimming.

Bring Your Garden to Life with Clematis

Selecting from the best clematis varieties ensures your garden enjoys a tapestry of colour, texture, and even fragrance year after year. From the evergreen appeal of Clematis armandii to compact Clematis montana rubens 'Freda', there's a clematis fit for every corner of your landscape. Explore our full range and start your clematis journey today.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

best clematis varieties

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Why Choose Clematis for Your Garden?