Clematis Montana Elizabeth

• Variety: Elizabeth, pruning group 1 – vanilla-scented pink flowers by the thousand
• Latin name: Clematis montana 'Elizabeth'
• Flower: Soft satin-pink, four petals
• Scent: Sweetly scented, often described as vanilla
• Climbing method: Leaf-stalk tendril climber
• Height: To 8m (allow plenty of space)
• Flowering: May–June
• Pruning group: 1 – tidy after flowering only if needed. No hard pruning
• Planting depth: Plant 8–10cm below pot level (montanas benefit from deep planting)
• Hardiness: H6 (fully hardy throughout the UK, including Scotland and exposed sites)
• RHS AGM: Yes (confirmed December 2024)
• Sold as: P9 and 3L deep pots, grown from cuttings by us. Peat-free compost
• Plant outdoors: Year-round
• Delivered: March–November typically. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Clematis Montana Elizabeth; An Unstoppable Spring Climber

Elizabeth is a montana clematis, which means she does not do things by halves. In May the plant disappears under a mass of soft pink flowers, each with a satin sheen and a scent that people argue about: most say vanilla, but my eldest grand-daughter, who is always right, says chocolate. The young leaves are bronze-tinged, ageing to mid-green, and the sheer volume of flower is something the large-flowered hybrids cannot match. Where a Nelly Moser produces dozens of blooms, a mature Elizabeth produces thousands. Unsurprisingly, it holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.

This is a really big and very vigorous plant. Given ordinary soil and a wall or fence to grow on, Elizabeth will reach 8m and spread to 4m or more. I have seen one in Bermondsey, in London that was planted in a basement garden and had reached the roof of the house, five floors up. The growth is fast and determined; you need a structure that can take the weight. A mature montana carries enough leaf and stem to bring down your average superstore trellis in a strong wind. A house wall, a large pergola, a sturdy boundary fence, or an established tree are all suitable. A lightweight obelisk is not. The compensation for all this vigour is that Elizabeth is among the hardiest clematis you can grow (coming from the Himalayas, it should be). So it thrives in Scotland, in frost pockets, on windy hillsides, and in coastal gardens where more refined clematis would sulk.

Scent, Vigour, and the Montana Difference

Montana clematis occupy a different category from the large-flowered types. They flower once, in spring, on wood made the previous year. No repeat flush. No deadheading needed. Pruning is almost unnecessary. The plants are wilt-resistant, slug-resistant, and tolerant of poor soil, cold winds, and neglect. What they do need is space and light. If you have a shed to hide, a wall to cover, or a dead tree to clothe in flower, a montana is the right tool. If you have a 2m trellis panel and tidy habits, it is not.

Climbing Companions for a Big Structure

Elizabeth flowers in May and is finished by late June, leaving a summer and autumn flowering gap. A rambling rose (Albertine or Paul's Himalayan Musk) is the classic companion for a montana: the rose flowers in June and July as the clematis finishes, and both share the same wild, exuberant character. If you want the montana growing into a tree rather than along a wall, plant it at the base of an established apple tree and let it find its own way up. The combination of pink clematis flowers through apple blossom in May is one of the great sights of a British spring garden. For a different montana on an adjacent wall, Mayleen is intensely fragrant with deeper pink flowers, or Primrose Star offers an unusual creamy-yellow double. Plant hardy geraniums or salvias at the base for summer colour after the clematis has finished its display overhead.

Why Buy from Ashridge?

We propagate all our montanas ourselves from cuttings. We only buy from other growers in extremis. We know the parent stock plants; we trust the quality of the cutting material and we are good at it. We also grow in peat-free compost with biological controls throughout. We guarantee our plants and we are a Feefo Platinum Partner. See the full range of Ashridge clematis.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I prune Clematis montana Elizabeth?

After flowering finishes in June, and only if it has outgrown its space. Montana clematis flower on stems grown the previous year; pruning anywhere between late summer and early spring removes the wood that carries this year's flowers. If you need to reduce size, cut back the offending shoots immediately after the last flowers fade. Established montanas that have been left unpruned for years can be renovated by cutting them back hard in June, but don't expect any flowers the next year.

How deep do I plant Elizabeth clematis?

Plant 8–10cm below pot level, the same as the large-flowered clematis. This is unusual for a Group 1 clematis; most Group 1 types (armandii, cirrhosa etc) should be planted at pot level because their crowns rot if buried. Montanas are the exception. Deep planting encourages strong basal growth and helps the plant recover if the top is damaged. For full instructions see our clematis planting depth guide.

How fast do Clematis montana grow?

They grow fast; well planted, a young plant can put on 2–3m of growth in a single season. It will typically reach its full height of 8m within four or five years. This is one of the most vigorous clematis available in the UK, so allow space from the start and provide a support structure strong enough to carry the weight of a mature plant.

Is clematis montana Elizabeth scented?

Yes. The scent is often compared to vanilla, though some people detect a hint of chocolate. It is not as strong as that of an armandii clematis, but with the sheer number of flowers a montana produces, the cumulative effect on a warm May afternoon is considerable. Plant it near a seating area or a path if you want to get the full benefit.

Can I grow clematis montana in a small garden?

Only with firm management as it will always try to get to about 8m tall and 4m wide. You can contain it by pruning after flowering each year, but you are fighting the plant's nature. If your garden is small, consider a compact clematis instead: Piilu reaches just 1.5m and is happy in a container. Montanas are at their best where they have room to run.

Will clematis montana grow on a north-facing wall?

Yes. Montanas are among the most tolerant clematis for aspect. Elizabeth will flower on a north wall, though the display may be slightly later and lighter than in a sunnier position. For a list of the best climbers for shaded walls, see our shade-tolerant climbing plants guide.