Blog: Why this compact gem will brighten up winter gardens
Flowers are few and far between in January, but you’ll be delighted if you grow the lovely clematis Freckles, which is at its peak from December to February. This variety is from the Cirrhosa group, mostly winter-flowering, and its full name is Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens Freckles. It has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
It’s an evergreen climber, an added bonus in midwinter. The divided, lobed and toothed glossy dark green leaves with a hint of bronze stand out well against the ‘everbrown’ of my beech hedge, and provide a good contrast for the flowers. Although it can reach 3.5m tall, don’t let that put you off. Mine is growing on a 6ft obelisk, taking up a very small footprint (read more about gardening with tall plants).
However, it’s the flowers that steal the show, and this year the plant has been smothered in blooms. The nodding, single, cream flowers can reach 10cm wide (mine seem to be smaller than this). What stands out is their heavy speckling of maroon-red inside the flowers, hence the name. Flowering can span late autumn, winter and early spring, followed by classic clematis silky seedheads.
Will Clematis Freckles grow in my garden?
Freckles isn’t the only star of the Cirrhosa Group. These evergreen woody climbers all have bell to bowl-shaped single flowers, blooming from November to February. As they flower on the previous year’s growth, if you need to prune, cut back straight after flowering. Try Advent Bells, Christmas Surprise, Jingle Bells, Lansdowne Gem, Ourika Valley, and Wisley Cream, all available from Thorncroft Clematis.
Clematis Freckles is classified as H4 hardy (-5 C to -10 C), so it is hardy in most parts of the UK, but can suffer in prolonged cold snaps. It requires a sunny, or part-sunny, free-draining site, sheltered from cold east or northerly winds. My plant is a small south-east facing bed, sheltered at the back by the hedge and to the east by the summerhouse.
Summer dormant spell
Although evergreen, the foliage looks best in autumn, winter and spring. Plants have a natural dormant period in summer, when the leaves sometimes go brown – don’t panic, this is natural. While in this dormant state, resist the urge to water them frequently. This can damage the roots. My garden is usually dry in summer, being near the East coast, so a perfect climate and site.
Perk them up with two or three doses of liquid high potash feed at fortnightly intervals. This will encourage them to produce fresh leaves and flowers better in the future. Avoid excessive wet during their first autumn and winter in the ground. For best results, plant Clematis Freckles in the spring.
