#Day23 getting the green light.....to notice the small things outside.

It's that time of year for Clematis montana to do it's thing, no matter what!
This beauty was spotted on a walk up a normally busy road, and it never fails to delight.
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It's a deciduous climber which is great to use to cover buildings and fences, and scramble up though old trees. It works well over garden features such as pergolas and arches too.
As it loses it leaves in the winter it's a good idea to grow it with an evergreen climber or something with a different season of interest.

Another variety pictured here close up is Clematis montana rubens which has young bronze foliage, maturing to light green. We shared a photo of its buds and leaves not long ago. Suddenly the flowers are open, as it enjoys it's sunny position against a brick wall
Generally good in most soils and aspects, they just need their roots kept cool by other plants or perhaps pebbles around their base.
Pruning can seem a little off-putting with all the different pruning groups but the benefits of regular pruning encourages strong growth and flowering, keeping growth in check. As this is in pruning group one, they should be pruned after flowering - mid to late spring.