Clematis

Clematis 'Golden Tiara' is an absolutely fabulous little plant. Clematis is one of about 200 different species that comes from both the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres. They grow in tropical areas at quite high altitudes and are members of the buttercup family. They're also known as Old Man's Beard, because of the greyish plumes that look a bit beard like, and also Virgin's Bower because it's said that Mary and Jesus sheltered under one of these on the flight into Egypt.

Clematis 'Golden Tiara' is a hybrid and it's been in the industry for about four years. It will grow to about three or four metres, so it's perfect for a fence or maybe a small bower or arbour. But also try using it as a ground cover, either down a slope or across the ground. A disadvantage is that you're not able to look into the flowers in the same way as when it's climbing. As with most Clematis it's easy to grow. Plant roots in a cool, shaded position and allow the plant to grow up into the sunlight. The moisture is just perfect for it. It's easy to prune. Cut it back to between 600mm and a metre at the end of summer. It flowers from spring probably until early May.

It doesn't need much fertiliser. But one tip; if you grow it up a tree just prune it back from the edge so that it uses the whole frame of the tree to grow and for its display. Clematis 'Golden Tiara' is an absolutely exquisite new plant on our market.