Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica

Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica is a unique clematis with beautiful evergreen foliage resembling that of ferns, and an astonishing winter flowering. This specificity has earned it the name of 'Christmas clematis'. It produces an abundance of pale-yellow bell-shaped flowers that are slightly punctuated with small red spots. They bloom as early as November and can continue until April, depending on the regions. In warm climates, the foliage disappears in summer to escape drought. This medium-sized variety is ideal for covering a trellis, a wall, or a bush. It is ideal in fairly mild regions.

Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica is a woody climbing plant of the Ranunculaceae family. It is of horticultural origin. It is a form of C. cirrhosa, the climbing clematis native to the Mediterranean basin, Asia Minor, and the Himalayas. It was discovered in the Balearic Islands. This woody plant has slender voluble stems that easily cling to their support (in Latin, cirrhosa means that it curls like a tendril). It can climb up to 2 or 3m (7 or 10ft) in height and spread as much. Its flowering sometimes begins in November, on new foliage. However, it usually takes place in February-March. It takes the form of numerous clusters of flowers, 3 to 6cm (1 to 2in) wide. They are slightly soft and thick, formed by 4 curved petals widely open on a bouquet of short green-yellow stamens. The throat of the flower is cream-white to very pale-yellow, slightly speckled with dark pink. They emit a light lemon scent. The dark green and glossy leaves are divided and lobed, with roughly toothed lanceolate leaflets. Cold temperatures often give them bronze highlights. If they stay under a watered climate in summer, the leaves curl up and then disappear as soon as the summer heat and its drought arrive.

Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica is ultimately a vigorous, undemanding, graceful, and attractive plant. It is one of the few clematis that is truly happy in Mediterranean-style gardens. Its only flaw is its hardiness, which can sometimes fail in wet soil during a severe winter. However, it can withstand temperatures of around -12°C (10.4°F) in well-drained soil, in the sun and sheltered from the wind. The sight of its speckled flowers standing out against a lead-blue winter sky remains a wonderful surprise, even under the shelter of a cool veranda. Due to its growth cycle, it will look wonderful in a dry garden climbing on a deciduous bush (vitex, lilac, cotinus), with a complementary growing pattern. Its garlands of flowers decorate their bare branches in winter. In a scented garden, it can accompany fragrant honeysuckle, which blooms white in February, perfuming the surrounding air. In cool climates, it is beautiful all year round. It can climb up a trellis, a fence, or even on a small wrought-iron structure, placed in a large pot on a patio.