This question was asked by
- Helen

Hi, I have a trellis, east-west facing with some shade which is approximately 2m x 2m. Our soil is sandy, but we're always adding our compost to it! I'd like to grow 2-3 clematis on it which flower at different periods. For springtime, I have looked at cartmanii, but it doesn't cling. Is that the case for all cartmanii? Possibly Francis Rivis, Frankie, Helsingborg, Jacqueline du Pre or Macropetala Lagoon. Would you be able to advise which one of those might be best please? (if you supply it) Thank you, Helen

Hi Helen, yes the cartmanii types don't climb really (they don't produce tendrils)
all the other alipna types and macropetala types do tho (no matter which ones you mention - they all climb and would be fine)
so you can look thru those 2 species for a couple of early flowerers.
Then if you look at the category 'clematis by flowering time' which I have put a link to below, you can choose the months that you would like the others to flower in and then you can sub-filter by colour and height and aspect.
regarding aspect its always a safe bet to go for 'any aspect' as you cant go wrong then (no matter how much sun or shade that spot gets)
again I have included a link below to start you off on that search too
hope this helps, thanks chris

Clematis - Alpina

Clematis - Macropetala

Clematis by Flowering Time