Clematis ‘Zodaki’ Dancing King - Clématite hybride Dancing King

The Clematis DANCING KING (‘Zodaki’) is a compact variety remarkable for its double flowers with changing hues. Those in spring are pale mauve to lavender, with lighter shades towards the centre; the second flowering, in late summer, produces smaller double flowers, which can become almost cream-white. Their regular shape, widely open and well displayed, allows one to appreciate all their delicacy. Its small size makes it suitable for modest supports and container growing.

This clematis belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and the horticultural group of early large-flowered clematis. 'Zodaki' is its cultivar name, while DANCING KING is its trade name. It was bred in the Netherlands by Wim Snoeijer, from a cross made in 2000 between 'Mrs George Jackman', an old cream-white variety, and 'Piilu', known for its double pink flowers in spring. The seedling that would become 'Zodaki' was selected in 2004, then registered under the name DANCING KING in 2008. It is a deciduous climber: its foliage falls in autumn, but the base of its stems remains in place during winter. The young shoots lengthen in spring and cling to the fine elements of their support using the leaf petioles. The plant reaches 1 to 1.50 m in height for 50 cm to 1 m in spread, dimensions noticeably smaller than many large-flowered clematis. Its dark green, divided leaves highlight the very light tones of the flowering. In May and June, the rounded flower buds open into more or less double flowers 6 to 10 cm in diameter. Their elliptical sepals, slightly undulate on the edges, are arranged in several ranks. Their colour blends pale mauve, lavender violet and bluish white, around a small centre of yellow stamens, more visible on semi-double flowers. A new flowering appears in August and September on the current year's shoots. The flowers are then smaller, lighter and so pale that they sometimes appear off-white. This ability to produce double flowers during both flowerings is one of the distinctive characters of 'Zodaki'. This variety flowers first on the previous year's wood, then on the new stems. Hardy down to –20 °C, it requires a position sheltered from wind which can damage its flowers.

The Clematis Dancing King can be grown on a small obelisk, a fine trellis or a narrow arch; its moderate growth also suits terrace decoration. In a large container, it can be combined with the miniature rose 'Little White Pet', with its small cream-white roses. In open ground, it can be planted near the herbaceous clematis 'Arabella' which will spread its blue-mauve flowering stems during summer. To cover the soil and provide some shade for the clematis's base, choose for example the Heuchera 'Silver Gumdrop' with its silver and purple foliage and the wall campanula ADANSA 'Purple' with its violet-blue starry flowers. These plants appreciate a well-drained soil that retains some moisture.