Clematis atragene alpina Blue Dancer

Clematis 'Blue Dancer' is a proven variety. It is directly derived from C. alpina, from which it has inherited its early flowering and hardiness. It is a sturdy climbing plant of medium size that flowers from March-April. Its pendulous bell-shaped flowers resemble those of the 'Frances Vivis' variety, but their petals are longer. They boast a vibrant blue-violet shade, highlighted by a small white cup in the centre. This modest-sized climber thrives on old walls, trellises, and fences, as well as in trees. Its numerous tendrils help it to climb anywhere! It makes a sublime display when paired with a white rose.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. It includes about 30 species of herbaceous perennials with woody roots, climbing plants, semi-woody plants, and evergreen or deciduous plants. They are found in both hemispheres, especially in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia, and North and Central America. Clematis 'Blue Dancer' is a cultivar derived from C. alpina (Clematis Tetragene section), showing longer and larger flowers than the type. It is a Group 1 clematis (early flowering). It is a semi-woody, climbing perennial plant that will reach a height of 2 to 3m (8 to 10ft), with a spread of 1m (3ft). The clematis groups are defined based on cultivation requirements.

'Blue Dancer' bears beautiful narrow campanulate flowers, 5 to 6cm (2in) in diameter. They bloom on the previous year's shoot, in the axils of the leaves. They bloom from March onwards if the weather is mild. The bisexual flowers are solitary. They do not have petals but have 4 long, slender, and slightly twisted tepals. In the centre of the corolla, there are white staminodes (sterile stamens arranged in a sort of small cup), surrounding true white-cream stamens. The flowering is followed by decorative silver-grey plume-like fruits. The light green and glabrous leaves are sometimes opposite, sometimes alternate. They are single and tripalmate with irregularly serrated edges. This clematis clings to the support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils.

The long bell-shaped flowers of this blue clematis are enhanced by white flowers. As it likes to weave itself into shrubs, it can be planted near Spiraea prunifolia or S. vanhouttei, or Prunus glandulosa 'Alba Plena', for example. In a romantic garden, it will look wonderful with the pink flowers of the Japanese quince 'Falconnet Charlet', Prunus triloba 'Multiplex', or Magnolia stellata 'Rosea'.

The name "clematis" comes from the Greek "klema", which means "vine shoot", because its old stems have a woody and twisted appearance with cork exfoliations.