Rampant Clematis

What colour is it Alanb my Olde Mans Beard grows like this crazy thing that it is but it is so pretty when if flowers, it is white and the only true British Clematis or so I have been told. lol Beautiful when in flower and when the seed heads form but rampant, I chop it right back every year and it just grows up again - beware if it is this one it self seeds everywhere. lol.

Hi Oliveoil It is a very, very pale pink, If I can find a photo, I will put it in my photos over the weekend. I thought you were being funny, talking about your ol' mans beard. LOL ... Sorry no offence meant.

Hi Oliveoil, I found a couple of closeups of the flowers and added them to the blog. If you could help identify it for me, that would be much appreciated.

Hi Alan google Montana Rubens see what you think ;-), bet it looked pretty lit up lol.
The montanas are sooo vigorous aren't they I have four, just going to put a picture up of one shinning up a drainpipe lol.
I've just been sent a plant of Old Mans Beard Barbara, by a friend,think I'm going to let it scramble about over a large tree stump in a clearing in the wood :-)

It will go well Kathy over the stump, but you have been warned lol :O) keep tight control of it.

Will look in a minute Alan although I am not sure I am the right person to be identifying clematis. But I will try. :O)

Well it definitely is a Montana, it is pretty, could be Giant Star, there is a good site for Clematis think it is www.taylorsclematis.co.uk but google taylors clematis and it will direct you to the right place, they have lots of info on clematis and so many varieties. Be warned though they have some beautiful clematis and I did get hooked a while back. lol :O)

It looks stunning and is just the sort I need to cover the old trunks of the Leylandii hedge - it can grow there to it's hearts content.

I think it's clematis Montana grandiflora also known as olde man,s beard I have it over my pergola and it smell is wonderful I have put some photo's of it on garden pictures .

I agree, that's a Montana Rubens, judging by the number of petals and it's colour. It is a rampant grower, as you've discovered and even though you've attacked it with a vengeance it will definitely recover. How do I know? I've got one lol!

Hi Simbad, Oliveoil, Honeysuckle, Kidsgran and Waddy. Thank you all for your very helpful comments and ideas. I will certainly take your advice and look on the suggested websites. Incidentally when I switched the light on, it made absolutely no difference at night, because the growth was that thick.

Kidsgran, thanks, I will take a look at the photos.

It's a beauty and I'm sure it will revive itself with just as much vigour Alan. Best get the finger out and get those jobs done. We don't want to hear you saying, if only! Nice light too :)
Just planted C. Montana Marjorie in a corner yesterday - I had the trellis up before hand. I must have been reading your mind :)

Hi AlanB just re read your blog and seen you mentioned it had pink in its colour mine don't have pink on it ! googled Montana Reuben and I think that is what you have what ever it is it will come back I hope I have never pruned mine I stick to the saying If it flowers before June don't prune lol

Angie, thanks for your comment. I am glad you put your trellis up first ... By doing this you don't then have to cut 10 years growth off and start again. They say "you can't by experience" .... I fully agree with you ... Now I've got you and my OH telling me to get my digit out. The Clematis trellis has suddenly gone from job no. 97 to no. 2 on the list....... Job no. 1 is to decorate the lounge :~((

Thanks Kidsgran, and everyone. I've just had a look too and wondered if it was Clematis mantana rubens maybe 'Pink Perfection' or 'Giant Star". There are so many different Clematis that look very similar. I appreciate your assistance.

Clematises do seem to regenerate themselves very well after being cut down. It's a lovely one :)

Thanks Hywel, sure hope so. I'll have to get cracking on my carpentry skills, while I can still see the fence. Oh and of course, I must remember to put new light bulbs in.

Its a beauty, my dad had one in his garden, he used to cut it right back but it never stopped it was a picture when in flower, I'm so pleased you've uncovered the lampost, its great, I have 3 little ones near my pond, think maybe I ought to show the photo of your big one and then hint very loudly, lol....

Thank you Lincslass, good luck with the negotiations for the new pond lights ....... LOL