Clematis patens Guernsey Cream

Clematis 'Guernsey Cream' is an early, reliable, and vigorous variety that blooms generously in spring and again at the end of summer. Its large, round flowers are a very pale-yellow delicately shaded with green, fading to creamy-white with prominent yellow stamens in the centre. In September, they will be smaller and off-white. The intense freshness of its flowering works wonders alongside pastel roses, in a bush with purple foliage. This clematis can climb anywhere, clinging to arbours, trellises, fences, and pergolas. Its moderate size is ideal for small gardens.

Clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The 'Guernsey Cream' variety has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden. It was bred in England by Raymond Evison. This variety possesses the genes of Clematis patens, a beautiful Japanese species with large flowers of varying colours, which is the origin of many cultivars.

This semi-woody and climbing plant is perfectly perennial and hardy. It will reach a height of about 4m (13ft), with a minimum spread of 1.25m (4ft). 'Guernsey Cream' develops new shoots in spring, from buds located on older stems. Each stem produces a floral bud that blooms in May-June. A second flowering occurs on the young stems in August-September. At the beginning of the season, this variety bears very round flowers with eight wide tepals, 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in diameter. They are pale-yellow with a chartreuse green midrib at first, then become creamy-white when fully open. They are erect and have a beautiful bouquet of yellow stamens in the centre. The flowering is followed by decorative silver-grey feathery fruits that persist until winter. The dark green deciduous leaves are divided into 3 or more leaflets. This clematis clings on its own to the support or host plant using petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside climbing roses to extend the flowering period of walls and pergolas until the end of summer. Place pretty perennials like geraniums, carnations, sage nemorosa, and phlox at their base, which will provide the shade they appreciate. This is a diverse genus, with varieties available in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Guernsey Cream' loves to weave through bushes. Bamboo canes are perfect supports for its voluble stems. The decidedly pastel flowers of this variety will be beautiful in September, alongside those of pink, orange, or red roses, for example. It will work wonders on an obelisk, in the centre of a perennial bed, or even on a wire fence.