Home South Africa – September 2019

plant of the month gardens

Clematismontana

and flowering. Because Jean’s garden gets about 1 200mm of rain per year, it is
hardly ever necessary to water the plants during the rest of the year. She keeps a
record of the rainfall, so she knows when the plants need additional water.
Clematis don’t need much pruning and should never be pruned immediately
after the flowering season. Jean prunes her clematis plants back lightly in May to
neaten them up, but otherwise not at all. They are perfect for pergolas or for
covering a fence or wall. Put up a light support frame on the wall for them to grow
up and make sure they are sheltered from the wind.

GardeningwithKeithKirstenby

KeithKirsten,Reader’sDigest

A SouthAfricanGardenforAll

Seasonswithchiefcontributor

JenniferGodbold-Simpson

This beautiful climber provides a

wonderful spectacle in spring.

Jean planted seven Clematis

montana climbers to cover the fence

where an old-fashioned rose was

clearly not doing too well.

Plant guide

Botanical name

Clematis montana

Commonname Mountain

or anemoneclematis

Fullsunto semi-shade

Averagewaterneeds

Deciduous

Frost-hardy

Growsupto 10mtall

and4mwide

Flowers in September

September 2019 home 109