Clematis 'Elizabeth'

Clematis montana 'Elizabeth' was raised in 1953 by the English nursery George Jackman & Son and remains one of the most popular montana cultivars to this day. Its roughly 8 cm pink flowers open into four sepals in a characteristic plus shape, with yellow stamens on creamy filaments, and give off a pleasant vanilla scent.

From April to May, 'Elizabeth' covers itself in flowers like a wall of blossom for several weeks. With a vigorous growth height of around 500 cm, it is ideal for covering fences, pergolas, tall trellises or even small trees — its vigorous habit makes it less suited to container growing. It thrives in sun as well as semi-shade and tolerates any aspect, as long as the root area stays cool and shaded, for example under ground cover or a layer of gravel.

'Elizabeth' is reliably winter-hardy (zone 7, down to about -17.7 °C) and flowers only on the previous year's wood. If you want to keep its growth in check, cut the plant back to about 100 cm after flowering in June. As a vigorous montana variety, 'Elizabeth' also holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for its reliable garden performance.