Gardens: clematis new and old - in pictures

Nurseries and garden centres thrive on a constant stream of plants that can be flagged up with a bright, bold flash – New! – on their labels. For many decades we’ve grown the same old species of clematis: ‘Jackmanii' (pictured above) and ‘Nelly Moser’, say, which have remained popular simply because they’re so good. → However, over the last 20 years breeders have developed new varieties. Are these newcomers better than the plants we’re used to? Some are, but many garden favourites still stand up to the competition well. Here are five new clematis that recommended for specific situations in the garden, and five more established varieties that still do the job well. Photograph: CuboImages srl/Alamy

PATIO CONTAINERS Raymond Evison’s clematis ‘Edda’ reaches no more than 1.2m in height and flowers from late spring to early autumn, with dark purple petals sparked by a reddish central bar. It keeps its colour best when grown out of all-day sun, so is ideal in a patio corner and looks stylish with silvery Helichrysum petiolare at the base. → Photograph: Raymond Evison Clematis

Or try this old favourite ‘Barbara Jackman’ has similar colouring, but blooms in a generous early flush with a scattering of flowers later. → Photograph: Edmund Vallins/Alamy

LOW WALLS Clematis that don’t grow too vigorously and flower early in the season are ideal for scrambling over a low wall or into a dwarf shrub, where they can show off their flowers while being protected from spring gales. ‘Purple Dream’, from Szczepan Marczyński, features unique double purple flowers with a delightful grapefruit scent. Flowering mainly in April and May, with a second flush later, and reaching no more than about 2m high, it’s derived from the tough and dependable C. alpina, and is happy facing in any direction. → Photograph: JS Sira/GAP Photos

Or try this old favourite The evergreen, spring-flowering C. cirrhosa ‘Freckles’ has pretty, creamy flowers that are heavily speckled in dark red; it appreciates sun and good drainage. → Photograph: Trevor Chriss/Alamy

NORTH-FACING WALLS and FENCES What to grow where it’s cold and there’s no sun? Choose plants whose flowers will fade in full sun but retain their colouring on a northerly aspect. The blushed white ‘Jeanne’s Pink’, reaching 2.4m high, is the perfect choice, because in full sun you risk it bleaching to white. It flowers mainly in May and June, but also in September; prune after the spring flowers. Or try this old favourite The striped flowers of ‘Nelly Moser’ also fade much less when planted out of direct sunlight. → Photograph: Rex Argent/Alamy

GROUND COVER We don’t always think of clematis as ground-cover plants, but many of the large-bloomed summer- and autumn-flowering varieties, including ‘Jackmanii’ and ‘Perle d’Azur’ (pictured), provide good cover if allowed to sprawl, and their flowers face upwards. ‘Chris’, a herbaceous perennial clematis that reaches 60-90cm tall, has weed-smothering golden leaves that eventually fade to green, and clusters of scented, deep blue flowers from July to September. Grow it in sun or partial shade, and cut back to the ground each spring. (From Marcus Dancer Plants.) → Photograph: DeAgostini/Getty

Or try this old favourite ‘Praecox’ has green foliage and pale blue flowers, and is notably vigorous. → Photograph: Jacqui Dracup/Alamy

HIDING AN EYESORE Many gardens have a tumbledown shed that needs concealing. A clematis that will cover it, yet can easily be controlled, is invaluable. ‘Princess Kate’ flowers from June to September and reaches 3-4m in height. The upright flowers are shaped like the blooms of lily-flowered tulips, coloured white on the inside and reddish purple with a white edge on the outside. This is one of the easiest types of clematis to grow; plants are pruned by simply cutting back hard to about 25cm in spring. → Photograph: J van Zoest/GardenPhotos.com

Try this old favourite C. x triternata ‘Rubromarginata’ reaches 6m high with heavily scented, reddish-purple flowers with white centres . Photograph: CuboImages srl/Alamy