Rubens Clematis Plants

• Variety: Rubens, pruning group 1 – the pink montana that covers entire houses
• Latin name: Clematis montana var. rubens
• Flower: Pale pink, four petals, with greenish stamens
• Scent: Scented
• Climbing method: Leaf-stalk tendril climber
• Height: To 12m (40ft) or more – one of the most vigorous clematis
• 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: No
• 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 Rubens – The One That Changes the Colour of a House

There is a house in North Cadbury, a village near our nursery, which in May changes colour. For most of the year it is a slightly grubby building; in late spring it turns a delicious pale pink. That is because it is completely covered with a giant Clematis montana var. rubens. The property is a ground and first floor building with a pitched roof, probably three bedrooms, and when we say covered, we mean covered. Not all Rubens need to be that big. You can cut them back very hard if you want to. But it gives you an idea of just how vigorous this clematis can be.

Rubens is the pink form of the montana species. The flowers are smaller than those of named montana cultivars like Elizabeth, but the sheer quantity compensates. In May and June the plant disappears under thousands of four-petalled pale pink blooms with greenish stamens. The new foliage emerges bronze-tinged, a feature in itself against the pink flowers. Rubens is scented, though less strongly than Elizabeth. It is fully hardy anywhere in the UK and will grow on any aspect, including north-facing walls.

Rubens or Elizabeth?

If you can only plant one pink montana, Elizabeth probably has the edge. She is scented, with larger flowers, and makes a slightly more refined display. But Rubens is more vigorous. It can reach 12m, even 14m in ideal conditions, where Elizabeth is more like 8 to 10m. If you have a very large wall, a sizeable tree to climb into, or a long boundary to cover, Rubens is the one that will get there. If you have a pergola or a more contained space, Elizabeth is the better choice. Both are Group 1 (prune after flowering, if at all) and both are planted deep.

Climbing Partners for a Big Montana

Rubens flowers in May and June, then it is done for the year. The gap from July onwards needs filling. A rambling rose (Paul's Himalayan Musk or Kiftsgate) has the same wild energy and takes over in June and July as the clematis finishes. For summer-long colour, train a Group 3 clematis like Polish Spirit through the montana stems; it will flower from July to September using the montana as its support structure. If you have a large established tree, plant Rubens at the base and let it climb; the combination of pink clematis through the canopy in May is one of the great sights of spring. Apple trees make excellent hosts. For the base, hardy geraniums give easy summer colour at ground level.

From Our Stock Plants to Your Garden

We propagate Rubens from cuttings taken from our own stock plants. Montanas root well and we grow them on in peat-free compost with biological controls. The team at Ashridge all contribute to climber production at some stage; when you ring up about your montana, you may well be talking to someone who potted it up. We are a Which? Gardening Best Buy supplier and a Feefo Platinum Partner, and every plant is guaranteed. See the full range of Ashridge clematis.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I prune Clematis montana Rubens?

After flowering finishes in June, and only if it has outgrown its space. Montanas flower on wood made the previous year; pruning in late summer, autumn, or winter removes the growth that carries next year's flowers. If you need to reduce size, cut immediately after the last flowers fade. A montana that has been left unpruned for years can be renovated by cutting hard back to about 1m in June, but expect no flowers for the following season while it regrows.

How deep should I plant Rubens?

Plant 8–10cm below pot level. This is unusual for a Group 1 clematis: most Group 1 types (armandii, cirrhosa, and the atragene group) 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 vigorous is Clematis montana Rubens?

Very. This is one of the most vigorous clematis you can grow. It will reach 12m in good conditions, potentially more, and covers ground faster than any of the large-flowered hybrids. A young plant can put on 2–3m of growth in a single season. Give it something strong to grow on and plenty of room. If vigour at this scale concerns you, Elizabeth is more contained at 8–10m.

Does Rubens need full sun?

No. Montanas are tolerant of aspect and Rubens will flower on a north-facing wall, though the display may be slightly lighter and later than in a sunnier position. For the best show, a south-facing or west-facing wall gives warmth and light. For a list of the best climbers for shaded walls, see our shade-tolerant climbing plants guide.

Is Rubens resistant to clematis wilt?

Yes. Montana clematis are not susceptible to clematis wilt, which is a disease that primarily affects the large-flowered hybrids. This, combined with the vigour and hardiness, makes montanas some of the most reliable clematis for UK gardens.

Can I grow Clematis montana in a small garden?

Only with commitment to annual pruning after flowering. A montana will always try to fill whatever space it can reach. In a small garden, a compact clematis like Piilu (1.5m, container-suitable) is a more honest choice. Montanas are at their best where they have room to run.