Description
Clematis 'Kathleen Dunford' 70 cm C2 | Clematis
Clematis 'Kathleen Dunford' on a stake is a climbing form of Clematis supplied with its own stake for support. The stake guides the stems upwards and gives the plant a clear vertical shape from an early stage. This makes the climber easier to place where a defined upright accent is wanted. The white flowers stand out against the green foliage, while repeat flowering extends the ornamental season. The plant is deciduous, so its green leaves are not present throughout the year. It can reach an adult height of approximately 250 cm. No mature width is specified, so the plant is best judged by its upright climbing habit rather than by a fixed spread. This cultivar is suited to UK gardens, especially in a reasonably sheltered position with good drainage. It grows in sun or partial shade and needs support as it develops. Support and pruning are required, so it should not be treated as maintenance-free. Like other climbing plants, it is best used as a vertical feature rather than as a free-standing shrub or tree. It does not produce edible fruit. For more plants in the same group, explore clematis.
Key features of Clematis 'Kathleen Dunford' on a stake
- The flowering is abundant and conspicuous. White flowers appear in May, June and September, giving this repeat-flowering clematis several periods of interest in the garden.
- The foliage is green and deciduous. The outline does not specify the leaf shape, so the main foliage value is the fresh green colour that supports the white flowers during the growing season.
- Choose a position in sun or partial shade. A reasonably sheltered place is recommended for typical UK garden conditions, as no specific wind rating is provided.
- Use fertile, humus-rich soil that is slightly moist but well drained. The plant tolerates lime-rich soil, while good drainage and an evenly moist root area help avoid drought at the base.
- The on-a-stake form gives the climbing stems a supported, upright structure. This creates a clear vertical silhouette and means the plant needs support as it grows. Its hardy nature, to approximately -28.9 to -23.3°C or USDA zone 5, suits many UK gardens. It is a useful choice within flowering climbing plants.
Uses of Clematis 'Kathleen Dunford' on a stake in the garden
- Use this climber on a pergola, trellis, fence or wall where vertical flowering interest is needed. The supplied stake helps establish an upright garden presence and makes the form easy to place in a defined area.
- It can also be used in a border or container. The supported structure is useful where a compact climbing accent is wanted without treating the plant as a shrub or tree.
- The plant is winter hardy to approximately -28.9 to -23.3°C, or USDA zone 5. This makes it a suitable hardy clematis on a stake for many UK garden settings, including sheltered urban and suburban gardens.
- Combine it with compatible border plants or other non-competing climbers. Suitable planting groups include climbers, border plants and container planting, provided that the plants have enough space to grow without competing for the same structure.
- Its main ornamental value comes from abundant white flowers in May, June and September, green foliage and repeat flowering. The supported upright silhouette adds structure as well as colour.
Clematis 'Kathleen Dunford' on a stake combines repeat white flowering with practical vertical structure for pergolas, trellises, fences, walls, borders and containers in a range of UK garden settings.
