Plant of the Month: Clematis cirrhosa ‘Freckles’ (December 2024)

One of the joys of walking around the neighbourhood is noticing what’s growing in front gardens and I like to stop and admire the imaginatively designed Xmas wreaths on doors at this time of year, planted window boxes and containers, and see what else is flowering in residents’ borders. And, when at bus stops, I have more time to absorb what’s around me.

So, at a bus stop a few days ago I noticed Clematis ‘Freckles’ cascading over the wall of CABAHS member Linda W’s garden. 

Linda tells me that she bought the clematis six years ago at around this time of the year – with its grey, dank days –  “when one needs cheering up and it has not disappointed.”   Linda also says that although the vine was slow to establish when planted on the cooler side of the property, it has really taken off.  It was planted with a honeysuckle and it flowers profusely in the south/south-west boundary wall.  In the summer months it can soak up the sun and in the winter is sheltered by the brick boundary wall.

Linda describes the flowers as “lovely and delicate” and they are: small and bell-shaped, with reddish-maroon freckles within, cascading down for all to admire.

Being a vigorous climber, the clematis has now spread along the trellis, with flowering commencing in November, and most likely continuing until February, if the weather is not too cold.  Its attractive evergreen foliage is a perfect backdrop to the flowers and as the vine can reach 3-4 metres, they are also perfect for arbours, trellis and trees, where they can really show their loveliness.    

Clematis cirrhosa ‘Freckles’ was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit and rightly so!

Anna L