Group 1 contains no large flowered hybrids and many clematis growers - especially those new to the obsession - are not as enchanted with the species or species-close hybrids as they are with the LFH's. The flowers are small, often nodding or downward facing and the colors typically not as intense. And many of the Group 1's are not as hardy as the later blooming 2's and 3's, limiting their appeal to warmer zones.

Personally, I prefer them and I have a larger collection of 1's than I do of either of the other 2 pruning groups.

I agree they are an underated group. They are very nice though. They bloom early in the spring which extends your clematis season. They need little or no pruning which is always a plus. They bloom when there is a lot of spring rain so I don't need to give them much additional water during the summer. There are a lot of beautiful hybrids and they do need to be planted more. The alpinas and macropetala do well in cold climates, the montanas need a warmer climate. My montana is 5 years old and is climbing a large purple plum. It has hundreds of blossoms on it now and is really putting on a show. I love it. Here are a few photos.
Cecile

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Montana in a plum tree

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Karen

Karen..Gorgeous..is that Montana "Mayleen"?...Jeanne

The reason you don't hear about them from me is that for the most part, the macropetalas and alpinas are not suited for the hotter zones. Being alpine plants, they tend to prefer places where the summers are not as hot and humid as the ones where I garden. My experiences with them is that they do alright for a season or two and then they begin to decline in vigor and eventually peter out. I have heard others in warmer climates lament the same issue. I really hate it though since the macropetalas and alpinas are beautiful plants that I would grow if I could. I would love to be able to grow Joe Zary.

As far as the montanas go, I have attempted to grow them in a small strip along the sidewalk leading to the front step to the house and there just either isn't enough drainage there or perhaps there isn't enough space for their roots to run. The plants will do well for a season or two and then just wilt out in the early to midsummer and never come back regardless of what I have attempted to do to improve the drainage there. Other type IIIs planted there have done just fine but the montanas don't.

Another point to consider is that most of the montanas can get to be huge plants requiring a lot of space and some heavy duty support for the long term. There is someone who posts here periodically, believe it is Carrie, who is growing them in Philadelphia who keeps hers in control by pruning them back heavily after they bloom so in essence you only have old wood that is one year old and not as many or as long of vines.

Here are a few shots of montanas that have not survived in my zone long term in the small strip next to the sidewalk.
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I am attempting to grow a smaller montana, montana "Broughton Star", in a newer location this year to see if it will survive there where there is better drainage and more space for its roots to grow.

There are other type I clematis out there. I am attempting to grow C. japonica in a pot to help increase drainage. Time will tell if the montana or the japonica will do well in their new locations.

We major in hot and humid so I will just forget that little idea. Thanks for saving me the trouble. $$

If you prune them back heavily after they bloom it kind of defeats the purpose of having a group 1. Hardly worth it. Let's face it, there are just some better left for others to grow, IMHO.

Redsox, you never know until you try it. I suggest you try one on the eastern side of the house and see if they will work for you. I tried three different varieties, two of which I grew from seed and one purchased from Lowes. I subscribe to the Tony Avent theory that you don't know you can't grow something until you have killed it at least three times! LOL

I have a Montana 'Rubens' that I like a lot. This is only the 2nd year for it, but it's got it's own arch to cover and seems to like it's location. It survived the winter just fine, but is in a rather protected area.
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I love the group 1s and use to have a Bluebird that I kept in a container where I use to live but it eventually outgrew the container and having no yard, I had to dispose of it. I love the Montanas too, especially the ones that smell like vanilla.

I purchased a Montana Rubens last year and although it made it through the winter, just barely, it only has a couple of leaves poking through the soil now, so I don't have much hope for it.

That's a Bluebird above that Flowerfan2 posted, isn't it? It's gorgeous. I am seriously thinking of buying another one now that I have my own home.

Linda

The only Type 1 I grow is Macropetala 'Blue Bird'. This was the 2nd growing season in my garden and it grew well. I missed out on any blooms last year because the deer ate it. We had a very hard winter and the deer, which have never been an issue in our suburban yard, came and ate quite a bit of 'Blue Bird', my baby witch hazel and ate a small Japanese maple to bits. The clematis thankfully survived its "pruning" and seems none the worse for the wear.

I'd like to try some other macropetalas and alpinas but I'm not going to try Montanas. I don't think I have the location or the climate to grow them well.

Hi Jeanne, I don't know what kind of Montana it is. I just got it in a plant swap from another gardenwebber. The trader thought it was Elizabeth but I don't think it looks like the photo's on COW of Elizabeth. It has a light vanilla scent. I guess it's just Montana rubens for now. It has done so well this year. It has hundreds of blooms and is still going strong and it is only 5 years old. I just love it. Karen

Gianty, pruning is NOT required on a group 1 - I have many that have never been pruned. But if you do wish to prune to reduce size, etc., pruning as soon as possible after the bloom period is recommended. I have pruned at other times of year as well and other than reducing the bloom period (in a couple of cases, enough to eliminate it for a season), there is no ill effect to the vine.

I was thinking about Ballet Skirt in the Atragene Group, which prompted this thread. Maybe I can find something in a 2 or 3 group that is more appropriate for my climate.

Pianolady, congrats on your success with Rubens in zone 4. That is as low a zone as I have ever seen anyone have success with montanas since they normally get frozen back to the ground or have their buds frozen off on. Only goes to show that you really have to try something to find out if it will work for you since every garden exists in a microclimate that may or may not line up with the growing zones.

One thing to consider with Rubens is that it can get vines up to 30 feet long. Not sure if there is something to the left of your picture that it can grow on but in time its vines will thicken and pop the lattice out of your arbor. You might wish to keep it in check by pruning back after flowering, as I noted above as well as Gardengal, so that you only have one year's worth of vines to contend with.

Redsox, if you had your heart set on Ballet Skirt (don't know if it is available any where here in the states since I don't keep up with the macropetalas or alpinas), why don't you give it a try? If pianolady can grow a montana in zone 4, you might be able to grow Ballet Skirt in your garden. Just remember experience in your own garden is the ultimate authority on growing anything. My experiences with the macropetalas and alpinas might not be yours.

Yes Garden gal I'm aware that group ones are a no prune/optional. The point I was making was in reference to nckvilledudes friend in Philly . And that is, if a group 1 is struggling to make it and you prune them back heavily after they bloom each and every time then you are just growing a vine. Hardley worth it IMHO.

nckvilledudes, How do you affix the clematis to the brick. It is so neat and straight. Do you drill into the brick, screw in screws or bolts and run wire? Do you use the glue on vine supports? How close are the supports? It looks beautiful!

Julie, the wires were affixed to the wall by drilling into the mortar with a masonry bit. You then get lead anchors that match up with the size of the hole the drill bit drills and pound them into the holes. Then you get either screws or screw hooks that match up with the size of the lead anchors and screw them into the lead anchors. Lastly, you take a heavy duty galvanized wire and string that from screw to screw or screw hook to screw hook.

Here are a few pictures to show how it works on the Broughton Star I am trying to grow in a new location out back on the backside of the faux chimney.

Here is the montana and you can see the wire leading upwards from the plant.
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A clearer view of the wire and screw hook.
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An overview of the wire structure. That is Blue Light in the center of the picture. The montana is to the right and further down out of the picture since it is just getting started and is a small plant yet.
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Here is a shot of my supplies other than the masonry drill bit.

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I currently have 6 Type I's.

cartmanii 'Avalanche' , alpina 'Tage Lundell' macropetala 'Blue Bird' 'Ruby' 'Helsingborg' and armandii 'Appleblossom'

My garden is too small for Montanas though they are very common here. I see them all over town and they are very common in nurseries too.

I had alpina 'Willy' and macropetala 'Rosy O'Grady' but the colors were too boring for me so I gave them away.

Thanks Miguel for the directions on training the vines on your brick. The pictures are especially helpful. I kind of figured that the glue on vine supports were NOT what you were using.

Julie

You are welcome Julie. I don't think that glue on vine supports would be of much use on montanas, especially after they get more mature. I am sure the weight would pull the vines off the bricks!