Clematis amandii ‘Apple Blossom’

White flowers that break open from apple pink buds make Clematis amandii ‘Apple Blossom’ a must have fragrant climbing plant.

This is a fairly vigorous plant evergreen climbing plant so give it room to grow and something to climb on. Left to its own devices it can reach 8 to 10 metres in height. We think it is better kept to around 2 metres so that the fragrant flowers can be appreciated.

Regarded as on of the best evergreen clematis varieties the flower buds will appear in late winter to spring, flowering period is from spring to summer, however repeat flushed of flowers will appear right through until mid summer.

Foliage is a mid to deep green, with new growth having a bronze to coppery tinge.

How to Grow Clematis armandii

Best planted in humus rich well drained soil, some mulch each spring, along with a general purpose liquid fertiliser will keep the plant growing well.

1. Choose a position where the plant can have support.
2. Try to have the root system in shade and the plant growing into the sun.
3. Amend poor soils by adding compost and aged cow manure.
4. Plant at the same depth the plant was in the container.
5. Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
6. Mulch around the plant to maintain a cool moist root run.
7. Fertilise in spring with a general purpose slow release fertiliser.
8. Maintain water when the plant is in flower.

The mulch helps keep the root system moist and cool, and if you can keep the root system in part shade, this is even better.

The best time too fertilise Clematis armandii ‘ Apple Blossom’ is directly after flowering.

Pruning Clematis amandii ‘Apple Blossom’

As tempting as it may be to let this fast growing climber have it head, pruning from an early age is recommended.

The flowers appear on last seasons growth, so pruning after flowering each year, while the plant is still putting on new growth is recommended.

Dead wood can be pruned away at the same time.

This practice will also keep the plant more compact, and the flowers as a level where you can appreciate them.

This is a group 1 (Type A) clematis, in the same group as C.montana, C.cirrhosa, C. macropetala.

Summary Details

• Botanical Name : Clematis armandii
• Common Names : Armands Clematis
• Family : Ranunculaceae
• Position : Full sun to a little afternoon shade.
• Soil : Humus rich well drained.
• Height : To 6m plus
• Spread : Can be trained to spread for 6m
• Growth Rate : Fast
• Flowers : Fragrant white.
• Flowering Time : Spring to summer.
• Foliage : Evergreen
• Frost Tolerant : Light frosts  only, avoid long frosts and very cold climates.
• Drought tolerant : No
• Pruning Time : After flowering

Clematis amandii ‘Apple Blossom’ is available from the following nurseries

ALAMEDA HOMESTEAD NURSERY - Phone: 03-59981465
Australia's largest producer of hybrid clematis including new releases. Known for quality clematis plants. Mail Order available.
www.ahn.com.au