Clematis for longest possible season of interest...

[jakesmum30]

I want to cover an archway in a sunny position and was wondering about the following: clematis aarmandi, plus a couple more clematis for long flowering and interesting foliage. Live in Norfolk. Any recommendations?? What is jasmine like as a climber for an arch? Thank you!

Watching with interest. We have a pergola in our new house and a couple of climbers died over the winter and I need to replace them.

Clematis armandii is lovely but (to judge from neighbour's example, which is invading my garden and chocking more delicate clematis) it's a bit of a thug and might overpower the other plants. That said, clematis armandii flowers quite early, so how about something like Polish Spirit which flowers later, to keep the show going?

I have jasmine growing up an obelisk and, really, it's too vigorous and ends up hanging over the top. Perhaps it would be OK on a tall and wide arch but you might have the same problem. What about a climbing rose (a rambler would probably be too vigorous)?

I posted about this a week or so ago.

I have bought a viticella- which supposedly flowers for about 3 months.
Armandii is tricky- I have it and it doesn't like cold winds. it flowers for only a few weeks. You alos get a huge amount of leaves which would smother other clematis.
what about a rambling rose such as Albertine plus a clematis either side?

Thanks everyone. I think I'll avoid armandii, and maybe try a rose/clematis combination. Will post on results!

I planted an armandii 6 months ago and is going great guns! Seemed fine over the very cold winter we just had and is a real bonus being evergreen! Montana would grow fast too and there are some beautiful ones. I'm growing loads of climbers up a new garden fence including honeysuckle - halliana and several clematis. Climbing rose would be lovely alongside an evergreen clematis for year round interest on a pergola!