Clematis patens Dancing Queen

Clematis Dancing Queen ('Zodaque') is a recent variety of clematis that produces an abundance of blooms on a fairly compact plant that is ideal for small spaces and container gardening. The pinkish-white double flowers are as graceful and light as a ballerina. They bloom abundantly in spring, and again in late summer, transforming any support they are given into a floral robe. This clematis possesses the grace and elegance of C. 'Duchess of Edinburgh', but offers a much longer flowering period.

The genus Clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. Dancing Queen is a horticultural variety first presented at the Chelsea Flower show in 2010. It is a creation by Van Zoest Nurseries (Netherlands), dating back to 2006. It is derived from C. patens, a woody clematis native to low-altitude forests in the northern Japanese islands. It belongs to the group of clematis that flower twice. The first flowering appears in spring, on the previous year's shoots. The second flowering blooms in late summer, on the current year's shoots. It is a woody climbing perennial plant, with short stems, which will reach a height of 1.5 (5ft), with a spread of 1m² (3ft²). A multitude of shoots emerge from its base every spring.

This clematis bears flowers measuring 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. They are globular and fully double, but without petaloid stamen tufts in the centre. The petals are initially curled. They are pale pinkish-white shaded with green. At full bloom, the lightly textured corollas are almost white, displaying a bouquet of pale-yellow stamens. The bisexual flowers are solitary or grouped in cymes. The deciduous leaves are simple, bright green, palmate, and strongly veined. This clematis clings to support or host plants through petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside climbing roses or vines to extend the flowering period of walls and pergolas until the end of summer. Let Dancing Queen climb with 'Little Mermaid' or 'Baby Charm', for example. They will weave through dwarf conifers, bamboo, or ornamental apple trees to animate their beautiful foliage twice a year. It is a genus rich in diversity, with flowers of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. Dancing Queen will be perfectly happy in a pot on a balcony or next to a door.