Clematis patens Piilu

The 'Piilu' Clematis is a compact climbing plant, suitable for container cultivation and offering a long and abundant flowering period. Balconies and terraces will quickly adopt this perennial with its very romantic hues. From late spring, a first wave of flowers, sometimes semi-double or double, invades the foliage and brings a lovely freshness. The tepals are pale pink on the outer edge and bright pink in the centre. They encircle a bristly heart of butter yellow stamens. This flowering will pause briefly in August and resume in late summer to sprinkle stars on the trellises and walls that this hardy plant loves to cover.

This recent creation, dating back to the 1980s, comes from Estonia and was quickly rewarded at Courson in 2000. It is the result of cross-breeding between 'Hagley Hybrid' and 'Makhrovyi', carried out by Uno Kivistik. Belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, this Clematis, like most of its cousins, likes a light, deep, moist and fertile soil, preferably neutral. It appreciates a sunny or partially shaded (where its colours will be even more intense) exposure, with the base of the plant always in shade. It is frost-resistant and can withstand freezing temperatures. However, it does not like stagnant moisture, so the substrate must be well-draining and watering should be moderate (if necessary, especially in the first year). Easy and undemanding, it allows beginners to achieve beautiful results with little difficulty.

'Piilu' (pronounced "pilou") is a climbing plant of reasonable size that can reach a height of 2 m (7ft). The previous year's stems will bear spring flowers from May to July. These flowers, sometimes semi-double or double, can be composed of multiple tepals and reach 10 cm (4in) in diameter. The late summer flowering (carried by the current year's branches) begins in September and continues into October. The single star-shaped flowers are slightly smaller (6 cm (2in) in diameter), but display the same shades that give them a piquant charm. The tepals, ending in a point and often with undulated margins, are a very soft light pink, with a more intense pink at the centre that enhances the overall appearance. They open fully and reveal a refreshing light yellow stamen centre. Later, fruits appear and decorate the foliage, remaining until winter. The leaves, composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, are deciduous and a beautiful tender green. They are carried by voluble stems that twine around their support.

In containers, with a trellis to support it, 'Piilu' will reward owners of small balconies and will flower for a long time even in partial shade. Place some spring bulbs at its base and enjoy the show with minimal maintenance. To enhance this scene a bit more, 'Baby Star', as well as the 'pink and white arbor' collection, will keep it company in perfect harmony. Finally, if you have a larger space, this non-invasive clematis will weave through a bamboo tipi in a flower bed, adding verticality.