Clematis montana ‘Tetrarose’ romps over an arbor or gazebo
Posted by admin on April 5th, 2010in Arbor, Charlotte Germane, Gardening Products, Gazebo | No Comments
By Charlotte Germane, Editor, H. Potter Knowledge blog 2010-2011
Add some oomph and perfume to your garden with Clematis montana ‘Tetrarose’.
A great grower, it reaches 25 to 30 feet when mature.
Fabulous on an arbor or gazebo, it’s about as fragrant as a clematis can get, according to Linda Beutler, Curator of the Rogerson Clematis Collection in the Portland, Oregon area. She calls the scent “vanilla with a spicy tone to it”.
Imagine sitting under that cloud of fragrance.
‘Tetrarose’ has showy rose flowers that begin to bloom in April and go on for 6 weeks, with a second, perfumed bloom at the end of summer (if the plant is cared for). The mass of bronze leaves is beautiful as a foil for the flowers and on its own.
Perfect clematis combinations with ‘Tetrarose’
For a knock-out garden picture on a large gazebo, Linda suggests adding a second clematis, Clematis armandii (Evergreen clematis or Armand’s clematis), on the opposite corner from ‘Tetrarose’.
Clematis armandii grows to 20 feet and blooms 2 to 3 weeks earlier than ‘Tetrarose’. Its evergreen leaves present a pretty complement to the bronze foliage of ‘Tetrarose’. Two popular armandii cultivars that you can easily find:
- ‘Snowdrift’ with fragrant, delicate, white flowers
- ‘Apple Blossom’ whose flowers have the pink and white look of the fruit blossom
Ready to go to the garden center and buy clematis? Wondering how to pronounce the word? When asked if the plant should be called CLEM-a-tis or clem-AT-is, Linda’s response is, “Yes.”
As with the to-MATE-oh or to-MAHT-oh debate, you can suit yourself.
How to plant clematis
Most clematis can thrive in USDA zones 5-10 (click here to find your zone). Traditional garden lore has it that clematis need their feet in the shade and their heads in the sun. Linda says well-watered soil is what the feet really need, with a site in full sun or part-sun.
Plant them in good garden soil that is rich in compost.
Water thoroughly after planting. If you get weekly rain in the spring and summer you do not need supplemental water. Gardeners in dry summer areas should water deeply, once a week.
Clematis through the seasons
How to fertilize clematis
Twice a year apply rose or flower food, when the buds emerge, and then again after blooming.
How to prune clematis
‘Tetrarose’ does not need annual pruning. If the plant gets bigger than you desire, cut it back after the first flowering. If you prune during the flowering season be sure to fertilize at the same time.
‘Tetrarose’ loses its leaves in the fall.
The vines can form woody trunks at the base. If that is not the look you want Linda suggests planting morning glories or other annual vines to cover the trunk.