If you are looking for something new, exciting and definitely a climber par excellence to attract the eye and stun the senses then give at least one member — preferably more — of the Clematis family a chance.

No. Don’t scoff and scold and jump to the conclusion that these largely temperate climate beauties cannot be grown here in Pakistan because they can and in the most unexpected of places too.

We do have indigenous varieties of Clematis but these are mainly confined to cooler zones in the northern mountains and hills. For example, Clematis montana which lights up forested edges during spring in locations such as Nathia Gali, Murree and along the roadside of the Kashmir Highway with masses of pale lavender or white, large, star shaped clusters of hanging blooms that dance in birdsong and breeze. These were spotted by Victorian plant collectors from Britain and Ireland and, always on the hunt for new discoveries, shipped specimens back to places such as Kew Gardens where, in conjunction with the dedicated experimentation of private gardeners, they became the ancestors of the hundreds of spectacular Clematis varieties available around the world today.

There are indigenous varieties of Clematis as well but imported varieties too can be grown with success

During this breeding process — an endless process actually, as it still goes on — strains were developed which could withstand a far higher degree of heat and humidity than the original plants. It is these sub-tropical varieties which, thanks to a growing number of enthusiastic plants people here, are slowly but surely making their presence known right across the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, some areas of Balochistan and, surprising as it sounds, as far south as Karachi where, with generous amounts of tender loving care, Clematis are thriving in the hands of gardeners who can best be called ‘Trail blazers’.

Currently, and for the last couple of years, specialist importers in and around Lahore have the widest range of climatically suitable Clematis on offer. The plants can also be found, if you search hard enough, in Peshawar, Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi but the range is rather limited as yet; therefore, if you are brave enough to take them on, the best bet is to do an online search for Punjab based importers, some of whom do offer rapid delivery of sturdy plants by courier or bus service. A small number of personal acquaintances have made such online purchases and are all, without exception, delighted by the results.

Clematis are not quite as fussy about soil conditions as people seem to think, but there are still basic guidelines to follow if you are to be in with a good chance of floriferous success.

Wild Clematis montana’in Nathia Gali

These fast growing, very prolific climbers, much prefer to be grown in a shady north or east facing location, protected from wind and are perfect for growing up wall mounted trellises against house walls. They are not particularly deep rooted so are highly unlikely to cause any damage to building foundations or to water pipes/drainage systems. Don’t panic if your plants decide to shed their leaves when temperatures rise in early summer. They may look as if they are dying but — at least 95 per cent of the time — they will produce new growth when temperatures cool down later in the year.

They enjoy a medium to rich soil which has had lots of organic matter, such as homemade organic compost mixed with old, well rotted, organic manure, mixed into whatever soil you happen to have in your garden. They can also be cultivated in suitably large, preferably cool clay pots and other suitable containers but please avoid the use of plastic containers as these heat up and dry out rapidly during periods of summer heat which, as we all know, literally burn up countless varieties of plants.

Two things to avoid at all cost are direct sun and water-logging as Clematis will tolerate neither.

There are so many varieties of Clematis to select from, depending on your source of course, that it is impossible to list them all here so a general overview will have to suffice. Clematis can be climbers, ramblers or trailing, bear single or double, sometimes deliciously fragrant, flowers in a magnificent range of colours including moonlight white, shell pink, delicate lavender, soft blue, rose pink, glowing sunshine yellow, velvety amethyst, a purple so dark and deep that it appears black, blazing scarlet and fire engine red, plus, there are bi-coloured ones too. Petals can be slightly or sharply pointed, have wavy or frilly edges, be softly rounded or, in some outstanding cases, be almost diamond shaped and quite incredible to see.

Having, I hope, shed at least a little illumination on Clematis cultivation in Pakistan, I now leave it up to you to take the plunge and extend an open invitation for at least one prime specimen to enter your garden home.

Please continue sending your gardening queries to zahrahnasir@hotmail.com. Remember to include your location. The writer will not respond directly by email. Emails with attachments will not be opened.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, December 21st, 2014