Does clematis need supports to grow up?

[KirstyJC]

I have a lovely old wall with lots of nooks and crannies in and I would like to grow a clematis up it.

There are some ferns and some aubretia already but there are some bare patches that I want to cover a bit.

Do I need to fix wires for it to grow up, or will it find it's own way?

No, it will need wires or netting. Clematis has tendrils and they will need something to wrap themselves around. If you don't want to attach any support to the wall, there are other climbers - such as ivy or (Chinese) Virginia creeper - which produce suckers and will cling to it.

Thanks, I thought that might be the case. I already have some ivy on it further up and although I like it, I don't want to completely cover the whole wall and it grows like mad!

I do have some wires and nails left over from when we did the other bit of the garden so I will hunt those out. I just saw a large bright purple clematis today on a house down the road and fell in love....I want it in my garden too.

Yes, clematis are gorgeous and, if you have a lovely old wall to set them off, so much the better!