Clematis Jingle Bells

A vigorous, woody, evergreen climber, Clematis cirrhosa Jingle Bells is aptly named, as it starts flowering in mid-December, continuing to February. The tripartite, typical clematis leaves are deep green, a lovely foil for the flowers. From winter to early spring, delicately scented, nodding, creamy-white, four-petalled flowers with a central boss of stamens are borne along the stems; these are followed by pretty, silky seed-heads. Clematis Jingle Bells is not for cold, exposed sites; it needs a warm, sheltered position, but with its roots cool – plant with the roots protected from the sun by a low shrub or paving-stone. Round a doorway on a warm wall would be ideal, so that you can enjoy the scent and flowers in the dismal days of winter. No routine pruning is necessary.

Site: Warm, sheltered
Soil: Any fertile, well-drained soil
Position: Full sun or partial shade
Season of interest: Winter and early spring in particular
Hardiness: Frost-hardy (to -5º)
Height: 16’ (5m) Spread: 6’6” (2m)