Clematis montana Giant Star

With the Clematis Montana 'Giant Star', it's a bit like having the garden invaded in spring by large, soft pink stars tinged with salmon and delicately scented with vanilla. This worthy descendant of the mountain clematis is a romantic that modestly hides its pretty foliage under very beautiful semi-double stars, the largest ever observed in clematis of this group. After 3 good weeks of floral debauchery, it reveals long, slightly twisted stems adorned with leaves of a beautiful dark green that turn purple in the sun. Planted in very ordinary soil, regardless of the exposure, this vigorous variety climbs trees, transforms old fences, unsightly buildings or even a large hedge of struggling evergreens.

The Clematis montana is a robust botanical species discovered in 1817 in the Himalayas, at an altitude of 4000 m (13123ft). It is widespread in central and western China, as well as in the Afghan, Pakistani, and northern Indian mountains. It has given rise to some very beautiful cultivars, selected for their floribundance and/or their fragrance. Like all clematis, it belongs to the ranunculaceae family.

The 'Giant Star' variety is a recent horticultural creation that stands out for the size of its flowers, often exceeding 10 cm (4in) in diameter. Fast-growing, this vigorous vine can produce stems up to 7 m (23ft) long, occupying nearly 6 m (20ft) at its base. It flowers from April to May depending on the climate. Remarkably abundant, it is made up of numerous semi-double star-shaped flowers that almost hide the foliage. Each flower, carried by a long petiole that keeps it away from the leaves, is composed of 4 white petals veined with salmon pink surrounding a beautiful bouquet of yellow stamens. These flowers, reminiscent of large Japanese anemones, emit a very pleasant fragrance with notes of vanilla and carnation, more or less perceptible depending on the temperature and time of day.

Its deciduous foliage emerges in spring from young shoots beautifully tinted with purple. It turns dark green in summer, with the leaves exposed to the sun taking on a beautiful purple flush. The leaves are lobed and dentate in the montana style. It is a very hardy, vigorous, and frost-resistant plant that happens to be resistant to clematis diseases.

Plant your 'Giant Star' montana clematis alongside your climbing roses or vines to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. Also associate it with a wisteria or a star jasmine. The Clematis genus is rich in diversity, with varieties available in all colours, shapes, and sizes, suitable for experienced or beginner gardeners. Adopt one of these queens of the vines to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Giant Star', a true spring delight, requires space to fully express itself, and a semi-shaded to sunny exposure (its base should be shaded). It will be magnificent in front of the house, for example, entwined around a wrought iron gate that encloses the garden. It will welcome visitors with its graceful and subtly scented flowering. Offer it to a dear gardening friend, as this wonderful clematis is a true gift from nature.

Tips: Avoid excessive fertilisation that stimulates foliage at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch to avoid excessive moisture that promotes wilt disease.