Clematis cirrhosa Wisley Cream

Clematis cirrhosa 'Wisley Cream' is a variety of waxy clematis with fragrant winter flowering, bearing astonishing bell-shaped flowers from November. Its evergreen foliage is finely cut and tinted bronze in winter, giving it a particularly ornamental appearance. It often disappears in climates with dry summers to escape the heat. This medium-sized variety is ideal for covering a trellis, a wall, or a deciduous bush. 'Wisley Cream' also performs very well in pots with the support of a frame.

Clematis 'Wisley Cream' is a woody climbing plant of the Ranunculaceae family. It is of horticultural origin, and was awarded in 2002 by the RHS for its ease of cultivation. It comes from C. cirrhosa, a Mediterranean species that requires no pruning or maintenance. 'Wisley Cream' has fine voluble stems that easily cling to their support (in Latin, cirrhosa means that it curls like a tendril). It will climb (or spread) up to 2 or 3m (7 or 10ft) in height. Its flowering sometimes begins in November, on brand-new foliage, but most often it takes place in February-March. It takes the form of numerous clusters of somewhat soft and thick flowers, 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) wide. They are formed by 4 curved petals, widely open on a bouquet of short green-yellow stamens. The throat of the flower, as well as the reverse of the petals, is cream-white, slightly washed with yellow. They emit a pleasant lemony fragrance. The dark green and glossy leaves are divided and lobed, with roughly toothed lanceolate leaflets. The cold often tints them with dark bronze reflections. If they are maintained in a rainy climate during summer, the leaves curl up and then disappear as soon as the summer heat and its dryness arrive.

Clematis cirrhosa 'Wisley Cream' is ultimately undemanding and graceful. Its only flaw is its hardiness, which can sometimes fail in wet soil during a severe winter. However, it can withstand temperatures around -12°C (10.4°F) in well-drained soil, in full sun and sheltered from the wind. The sight of its flowers against a leaden blue winter sky remains a wonderful surprise. Let it climb on a deciduous bush (vitex, lilac, cotinus), with a complementary growth cycle, so that its garlands of flowers can decorate their bare branches in winter. In a scented garden, it can be paired with Lonicera fragrantissima, which blooms white in February, perfuming the surrounding air. In cooler climates, it is beautiful all year round. It can be trained to climb on a trellis, a fence, or even on a small wrought iron structure, placed in a large pot on a patio.