Home South Africa – September 2019

JeanplantedherimpressiveClematismontanahedge– about25m
in length– 11yearsago.It consistsof sevenof theseclimbers,
spacedabout3mapart.“Theplantscoveredthefenceveryquickly
anddon’tneedmuchattention.It is definitelytheperfectplacefor
them!”saysJean.
Clematis,especiallylikethoseonJean’sfence,arenot
commonplacein SouthAfricangardens.Butif thisplantis happy,it
bloomsin abundancein latespring.It doesbestin coolerandmoist

climatesbutcanbegrownin slightlywarmeranddrierareas,as

wellasin thewinterrainfallregions.It is notsuitableforveryhot

andhumidareasor thehotinterior.Thebestspotforthisclimberis

somewherewhereitsrootscanbein theshadewhiletheplantitself

is in thesun.Plantit in a fairlybigholewithplentyof fertiliser,

compostandbonemeal.Clematisneeda lotof waterin thegrowing

season,especiallyif theyarenotyetwellestablished.Jeangivesher

clematislotsof waterat theendof winterto encouragegoodgrowth

This glorioushedge is a sign of a happy plant in the right spot.

108 home September 2019

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