Clematis patens Isabella (Zo12220)

This new Clematis 'Isabella', which does not exceed 2m (7ft), offers beautiful-sized flowers that can evoke a bouquet of undulating leaves, in two shades of pink; a median line and fine veins of a deep pink highlight the slightly purplish pink background of the petals. In the center of the corolla, a cluster of purple stamens reigns. It blooms early in the spring, generously, and again in late summer. With its modest growth, this small vine is ready to make its entrance in all gardens, but also on terraces and balconies, planted in a large pot.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. They are found in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia, North and Central America. The 'Isabella' variety, introduced in the Netherlands in 2017, is a perfectly perennial, semi-woody and climbing plant, which will reach approximately 2m (7ft) in height, with a minimum spread of 1m (3ft). This clematis bears large flowers of quite an original shape, reaching 8 to 12cm (3 to 5in) in diameter, which appear on the previous year's shoots in May-June, and then on the current year's shoots in August-September depending on the climate. The flowers are solitary. They have 6 to 8 wide pointed tepals with undulating edges, slightly folded along the midrib, which slightly overlap. Their base colour is a lovely lilac pink with fine veins of rose-purple, marked by a central line of the same tone. The center of the flower is adorned with a beautiful crown of purple-tinted stamens. The flowering is followed by decorative silvery gray feathery fruits that persist until winter. The glabrous leaves are divided into 3 elliptical to lanceolate leaflets, dark green in colour. This clematis firmly attaches itself to the support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis in the company of your climbing or rambling roses ('New Dawn', 'Mme Caroline Testout', 'Zéphirine Drouhin'), to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It is a genus rich in diversity, with flowers in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Isabella' will pair well with the blue flowers of the Hudson River clematis, the purple ones of Romantika, or the white ones of the 'Superba' or 'Miss Bateman' varieties, for climbing a fence or covering a wall exposed to the morning sun. Sweet peas also accompany small clematis, providing fragrance.

Tips: Avoid excessive fertilization that stimulates foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch to avoid excessive moisture.