Clematis Ernest Markham

• Variety: Ernest Markham, pruning group 3 – big flowers, hard prune, long season
• Latin name: Clematis 'Ernest Markham'
• Flower: Vivid magenta-red, velvety, 10–15cm across
• Scent: None
• Climbing method: Leaf-stalk tendril climber
• Height: To 4m
• Flowering: June–October
• Pruning group: Group 3 – cut back hard in February
• Planting depth: Plant 8–10cm below pot level
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• RHS AGM: Yes (confirmed December 2024)
• Sold as: P9 and 3L deep pots, grown from cuttings by us. Peat-free compost
• Plant outdoors: Year-round
• Delivered: March–November typically. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Clematis Ernest Markham – Big Flowers, Easy Pruning

Ernest Markham gives you the large, showy flowers of the classic clematis hybrids which are all in the easily pruned Group 3. Actually, Ernest Markham is borderline group 2 but we will treat it as group 3. In our experience he performs better like that. The blooms are vivid magenta-red, velvety in texture, 10–15cm across, and produced from June right through to October on a good year. That is a longer season than most Group 2 clematis manage even with their repeat flush and the display builds through summer rather than arriving in one burst in May. It was awarded an Award of Garden Merit in 1993, which it has held through every review since.

The plant reaches about 4m, which is taller than most large-flowered clematis but manageable on a house wall, a pergola, or a strong fence. It prefers sun; the magenta colour is at its richest in a south-facing or west-facing position, and the plant flowers more freely in warmth. It is fully hardy (H6) and grows anywhere in the UK, but the heat of a good wall helps it perform at its best. On a shaded north wall, consider Hagley Hybrid instead, which is also Group 3 but better suited to that situation.

The Gardener Behind the Name

Ernest Markham was head gardener to William Robinson at Gravetye Manor in Sussex. Robinson was one of the most influential gardening writers of the early twentieth century, the man who championed the wild garden and helped end the Victorian fashion for formal bedding. Markham raised this clematis from seed at Gravetye in 1926. After Markham's death, Rowland Jackman of the famous Woking clematis nursery named it in his honour and introduced it in 1938. It remains one of the most widely grown clematis in Europe, which is as good a memorial as any gardener could hope for.

Summer Succession on the Same Wall

The flowering season runs from June to October, so this clematis needs companions for spring rather than summer. A wisteria (Sinensis or Floribunda) on the same wall or an adjacent one gives you scented flowers in May; the clematis takes over seamlessly as the wisteria racemes fade. For a clematis succession, pair it with Warsaw Nike, which is also Group 3 but in deep velvety purple rather than magenta; the two together on a long wall give a rich, warm colour scheme from June until the frosts. For something completely different, Bill MacKenzie provides yellow tangutica bells and magnificent seedheads from August onwards, a sharp contrast to Ernest Markham's heavy reds. Plant lavender (Grosso or Vera) at the base to shade the roots and extend the purple theme at ground level.

Why Ashridge?

We grow Ernest Markham ourselves, in peat-free compost and using biological controls. No neonicotinoids here. The team that propagate your clematis include some of the people who pack orders and answer questions. They literally know the plants. And every plant is guaranteed. See the full clematis range.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I prune Ernest Markham clematis?

In February, hard. Cut every stem to about 30cm above ground, just above the lowest pair of strong buds. Ernest Markham flowers on new growth; you actually improve next year's flowering by removing this year's spent stems.

How deep should I plant Ernest Markham?

Plant 8–10cm below pot level. Deep planting encourages shoots from below ground, providing a reserve of growing points if the top growth is damaged by wilt or accident. For full instructions see our clematis planting depth guide.

Is Ernest Markham resistant to clematis wilt?

No, Ernest Markham is a late large-flowered hybrid, which are susceptible to wilt. Deep planting is the best insurance. A clematis planted 8–10cm below the surface can regenerate from underground buds even if wilt kills the top growth. But if wilt-resistance is your priority, consider Étoile Violette or Polish Spirit from the viticella group, which are virtually immune.

Does Ernest Markham need full sun?

It does best in sun. The magenta flowers are richest and most plentiful on a south-facing or west-facing wall with warmth reflected by a wall or fence. It will grow in partial shade but flowers less freely and the colour can appear duller. For a large-flowered Group 3 clematis that tolerates shade, Hagley Hybrid is a better choice.

How long does Ernest Markham flower?

From June to October in a good year, which is one of the longest flowering seasons of any large-flowered clematis. The display builds gradually through summer rather than arriving in one burst. The first flowers open in June on the fastest new growth; the last may still be opening in early October if autumn is mild.

What is the difference between Ernest Markham and the viticella clematis?

Both are Group 3 and both get the same hard February prune. The differences matter: Ernest Markham has large flowers (10–15cm), is not wilt-resistant, and prefers full sun. The viticellas (Étoile Violette, Polish Spirit) have smaller flowers (5–10cm), are wilt-resistant, and are more tolerant of shade.