Clematis diversifolia Juuli

Clematis ‘Juuli’ stands out from classic clematis due to its non-climbing habit of a large perennial. Its stems do not cling on their own: they can be trained, weave through the branches of a shrub, or run freely among other plants. From July to September, they bear large star-shaped flowers, initially purplish-pink, turning lavender-blue at maturity. This colour change allows several shades to coexist on the plant. This hardy, compact, floriferous, and easy-to-prune variety is particularly interesting in a border or at the base of a shrub.

This clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and the Integrifolia group, which brings together herbaceous or semi-herbaceous species and hybrids. Also sold under the name KIVJUU, it is sometimes incorrectly referred to as Clematis × diversifolia ‘Juuli’. Its official horticultural name is Clematis ‘Juuli’. It was bred in Estonia by Uno Kivistik in 1984. This horticulturist, together with his wife Aili, created many cultivars adapted to cold winters in their family nursery in Roogoja. The name ‘Juuli’ means 'July' in Estonian, the month when its flowering begins in its country of origin. The root is perennial, but all above-ground vegetation dies back in autumn. In spring, new stems rise directly from the base and reach 1.50 to 1.80m when supported. They lack the prehensile petioles that allow climbing clematis to grip a trellis. Untrained, they arch, lean on neighbouring plants, or spread over nearly a metre. The simple or divided, dark green leaves are arranged in pairs along the stems. The flowers are slightly nodding at first, then open into stars of 7 to 10cm in diameter. They have four to six elongated sepals, with slightly recurved edges and tips. Their colour changes from purplish-pink to mauve, then to lavender-blue, while a more pink central band remains visible. The cream filaments and yellow anthers form a well-defined centre. The flowering, which can begin in June, continues until September if the soil does not dry out too much. The faded flowers give way to silvery, feathery seed heads. The crown of this plant is hardy to –23 °C in well-drained soil. 

In a border, this ‘Juuli’ variety can be trained on a small obelisk or supported by a few discreet stakes. Its stems can also weave through the flexible branches of the shrub rose ‘Desdemona’ or lean on Physocarpus ‘Summer Wine’, whose purple foliage highlights its lavender-blue flowers. In front of it, you can plant a small herbaceous clematis ‘Baby Blue’, for its blue-mauve bell-shaped flowers and lower growth. The dwarf old rose ‘Little White Pet’, covered in small creamy-white pom-poms, enhances the romantic character of the whole. Without a support, Clematis ‘Juuli’ can also run among these plants, with sweet peas 'Cupani ', for example. It can also be grown in a large container on the patio to cascade down in a floral waterfall.