Clematis Identified on Florence Nightingale?s Former Home

HCS were delighted to welcome Valerie Le May Neville Parry of the British Clematis Society, who kindly presented a selection of books for the Senior School library to the Head Boy and Head Girl. These were a token of thanks to the school for hosting a Clematis Society meeting for the Wessex Group, earlier this year.

Whilst at the school Valerie took the opportunity to identify the Clematis which is firmly established on the wall of the Manor House, once the family home of Florence Nightingale. The Montana’s name is Clematis Montana var. Grandiflora  
 
 “It was good to meet your staff and pupils, and, of course, to view the quite magnificent flowers of your Montana var. Grandiflora.  My late husband, Chris attended both the Atherley and Embley Park School.  He was proud to have been a student there.  As soon as visited I could see why; what a privilege,”  said Valerie.

Background: Valerie’s garden, in Woodfalls, near Salisbury, hosts the only National Collection of the Clematis Montana group. There are hundreds of other clematis integrated within the garden, providing year round clematis interest.

Photographs: Valerie Le May Neville Parry of the Britsish Clematis Society (centre) presents books for the HCS school library to Head Boy and Head Girl.

The Montana var. Grandiflora