Clematis x durandii

Clematis x durandii is a hybrid variety obtained in France in 1874 by the Durand brothers. It is a curious little semi-woody clematis, producing beautiful bell-shaped flowers in an incredible indigo blue in large stars with creamy white stamens. It forms a lush tuft rather than truly climbing, like an entangled mass which flowers all summer. Overlooked and underused in our gardens, its beauty is enhanced by its ability to adapt to all kinds of climates and soils. The vegetation of this clematis disappears completely in winter.

The Clematis genus belongs to the ranunculaceae family. Clematis Durandii is derived from a cross between C.integrifolia, the single-leaved clematis, a herbaceous species with woody base native to southern Europe, central Europe, Russia, and China, and C.lanuginosa, native to western China, with very large white flowers. 'Durandii' is a slightly climbing perennial plant, with long leafy stems, which forms a bushy tuft reaching 1 to 2 m (3 to 7ft) in height, with a minimum spread of 1 m², depending on whether it is trained on a support or left to grow freely. The plant is slow to establish and roots deeply in the soil before showing exponential growth in the following years, becoming moderately suckering after a few years. Each spring, a multitude of stems emerge directly from its base bearing entire, ovate to elliptical deep and shiny green leaves. The flowers bloom abundantly from June to September among the foliage. They open bell-shaped and indigo blue, composed of 4 to 5 swollen petals, then open almost flat towards the sky, reaching 6 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) in diameter. They have wavy, deeply veined petals surrounding cream-coloured stamens with anthers. The flowers are followed by feathery and silvery, highly decorative fruits. This clematis prefers sunny but not scorching situations.

Plant Clematis x durandii alongside bush or climbing roses to accompany their first flowering and fill in their sometimes bare base. Clematis are a genus rich in diversity, of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. The exquisite Clematis x durandii will be perfectly happy in a pot on a balcony, terrace, at the corner of a wall, or in a bed invaded by perennial peas, variegated ivy, small-flowered periwinkles, gauras, and bellflowers.