Clematis Little Mermaid

Clematis 'Little Mermaid' is a recent hybrid whose flowering is a rare and ever-changing pink. This variety, derived from a Japanese species, blooms in spring and again in late summer. Its perfectly round and fully double spring flower, starts off salmon pink, then fades and finally matures to a bluish tone, with numerous petals surrounding a prominent yellow stamen centre. Its autumn flower is usually single and the same colour. Together, they form a delightful little climber, flowering in a range of pink and frosted mauve shades, which climbs any support without smothering it. This plant is hardy and has deciduous, beautiful glossy green foliage. It should be grown in a moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Its compact size allows for planting in the ground or a container.

The genus Clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. 'Little Mermaid', a horticultural variety derived mainly from Clematis patens, a woody clematis native to low-altitude forests in the northern Japanese islands. It belongs to the clematis group that flowers twice. The first flowering occurs in spring on last year's shoots, followed by a second blooming in late summer on this year's growth. It is a woody, climbing perennial with short stems that reaches a height of 2m (7ft) and spreads to 1m². Each spring, a multitude of stems emerge from its crown.

This clematis bears patens-type flowers, which are large, measuring 8cm (3in) in diameter. They first appear in May-June in a semi-double or sometimes double form, and then again in late summer, generally as single and open corollas composed of 8 petals. Occasionally, a touch of mauve may appear at the base of the pink petals, around the stamens. The flowers are solitary or grouped in clusters. They have ovate and pointed petals that open star-like around a yellow stamen centre. The deciduous leaves are simple, bright green, tri palmate and heavily veined. This clematis clings to its support or host plant using tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside your climbing roses to extend the flowering season of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. Let 'Little Mermaid' or 'Baby Charm' climb on dwarf conifers to bring their beautiful foliage to life twice a year. This is a genus with great diversity, offering flowers of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a touch of romance and bohemian charm. Thanks to its relatively compact size, 'Little Mermaid' will also thrive in a pot on a balcony or next to an entrance door.