Clematis at Havenwood

Several good June-flowering types

Clematis ‘Princess Diana’ is quite a vigorous grower and bloomer in the Cottage Garden.

"When people say they haven't got room for a Clematis it is always such nonsense because all you have to do is to put a pole in somewhere, and you've got all that vertical space which was doing nothing."¹

🌿 Christopher Lloyd in an interview with Anna Pavord at Great Dixter

You can never have too many Clematis. No matter how many I have added to Havenwood (and our first garden, Gilmore Gardens), I find a dozen more spots that would be perfect for one at this time of year as the summer heats up. It is nice to have color without any fuss. I first heard the great Christopher Lloyd pronounce his judgement on non-Clematis growers nearly 20 years ago, and ever since I have taken him up on his challenge to fit a Clematis in as many places as possible. Whether it makes me less nonsensical I am not sure, but I have certainly never regretted growing a Clematis.