Gina Parkinson introduces a fast-growing clematis that is not for faint-hearted gardeners.

WHILE its later relatives are only just beginning to put out tentative new growth on their thin brown stems, Clematis armandii has got all systems going and is travelling full pelt into bloom.

This is not a plant for the faint hearted. It will cover a wall within a couple of seasons and fill any available, and not so available, space with long leathery evergreen leaves and many clusters of white flowers in early spring.

Ours, which is clematis armandii Apple Blossom, has come into flower later than usual this year. I am not sure if the weather has held it back. Flower buds appeared in January and would often have opened by mid February, but they held on this year until a week or so ago.

The other reason for the delay could have been the hard pruning that had to be carried out last summer. It was done as a necessity since pruning is not usually recommended for this plant which can happily grow to 7.6m/25ft or more when mature.

I stubbornly insisted planting this potential monster in a garden that is perhaps a little small for its reach. So me and the plant had to take the consequences last summer when the plumber employed to service the boiler tutted and shook his head on seeing how close those stems were to the outlet pipe.

On his stern advice, at least ten feet were regretfully cut away.

However, my doubts that it would bloom this year have been unfounded and it is covered in a mass of lovely flowers, basking on the sheltered, south-facing brick wall underneath my daughter's bedroom window. It is lovely to open her curtains and see the flowers peeping over the windowsill.

Clematis armandii is a woody climber which can be used to cover walls and fences or to climb through trees. It can be a dense and heavy plant once established and needs the support of wires or trellis.

The dark, glossy leaves usually stay in tact through the winter but can drop in severe conditions. They will be replaced once the plant starts into growth.

The best flowers are usually produced at the top of the stems, which should be taken into account when planting.

Allow for this by putting the plant a good distance away from where the flowers are wanted and train the stems to reach this point. Mine, for example, is planted more than 5m/16ft from the main flowering point. The lower part of the stems cover the wall with leaves and a few later flower trusses, leading the eye to the stars of the early spring garden.

Plant Clematis armandii in soil that remains moist but doesn't get waterlogged. It will cope with both alkaline and acid conditions.

A sheltered aspect is needed with protection from cold winds and, like many clematis, it prefers to have cool feet and a hot head. That is, roots in shade and flowers in sun. There are a few varieties available as well as Apple Blossom, which has pink-suffused flowers, including Snowdrift, Bowl of Beauty, Enham Star and Little White Charm. Apple blossom is usually easy to find at garden centres and in nurseries but the other may require a specialist supplier - these can be found listed in the Plant Finder.

The National Gardens Scheme

THE National Gardens Scheme in Yorkshire is getting into its swing with three gardens open over the next week and an increasing number to follow as the season moves forward.

There are 114 garden participating in the region this year, including nine new ones, and the organisers are hoping to equal or better the £100,000 the gardens raised for the scheme last year.

More than £1.75m was raised by the scheme throughout the country last year, all of which was donated to nursing, gardening and caring charities.

Many other charities and private individuals also open their gardens for good causes.

If you are participating and would like to be included in this column, please send your details to Gina Parkinson, In The Garden, Features, Evening Press, York, YO1 9YN about two weeks in advance, or email features@ycp.co.uk.

As many gardens as possible are included although at busy times, especially from mid May to mid July, it is not always possible to list all the gardens.