"K" wrote in message
...
I'm considering getting rid of my Clematis montana and planting some
other clematis there instead. What would be an alternative? I need it to
flower the same time as montana (ie a bit later than the alpinas), to
have small flowers, to be a lot less vigorous, but still vigorous enough
to grow above the 'slug zone', and to be happy in a cold Yorkshire
climate.
--
Kay
Quite a tough challenge!
The smaller Montanas are often crossed with C. chrysocoma (which is lovely
but not hardy) and are probably going to be disappointing in your colder
climate, most other early flowered species are a bit tender. which leaves
you with the several thousand group two hybrid clematis, but they all have
bigger flowers than montana, I think one of the best for your purpose would
be "Miss Bateman" as the flowers are about 3-4" so not too large and its a
bushy grower, not normally pruned it can be tidied after flowering in June
(as can montana)

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collections of Clematis viticella (cvs) and
Lapageria rosea