Clematis x napaulensis Christmas Surprise

Clematis 'Christmas Surprise' is a variety of Christmas clematis very similar to the botanical species C. napaulensis, from which it inherited its evergreen foliage and beautiful winter flowering of small, slightly scented white-cream bells and decorative feathery fruits. In warm climates, its foliage disappears in summer and reappears in autumn. This variety is fairly resistant to lack of water in summer and cold temperatures. With a modest stature, it is ideal for filling a trellis, a wall, or a deciduous bush that will hide its bare stems in summer. It can also be planted in a large pot with the support of a frame.

Clematis 'Christmas Surprise' is a woody climbing plant from the Ranunculaceae family, recently selected in France by Javoy nurseries. It is derived from C. napaulensis, a rare species native to Nepal and the warm regions of southern China. 'Christmas Surprise' has thin voluble stems that easily cling to their support. It can climb up to 2 or 2.5m (7 or 8ft) in height and spread as much. It blooms on the previous year's branches. Its flowering sometimes begins in November, on new foliage, but most often it occurs in February-March. The flowering takes the form of numerous clusters of slightly soft and thick pendulous flowers, 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) wide, formed by 4 slightly curved petals widely open on a bouquet of short bronze-orange stamens. After pollination, beautiful silky and feathery heads of white-grey seeds form, which can persist for several months. The dark green and slightly glossy leaves are divided into 3 to 5 lanceolate leaflets with smooth edges. If they are maintained in a humid climate in summer, the leaves curl up and disappear as soon as the summer heat and its dryness arrive.

Clematis 'Christmas Surprise' is a rather robust, undemanding, graceful, and pretty plant. Its only flaw is its hardiness, which can sometimes fail in wet soil during a harsh winter. However, it can withstand temperatures of around -8 to -12°C (17.6 to 10.4°F) if planted in well-drained soil in full sun and sheltered from the wind. The sight of its flowers is a wonderful surprise in winter. Let it climb on a deciduous bush (white spirea, oval-leaved serviceberry, 'Red Cascade' smokebush, cotinus), with a complementary growth cycle. Its flower clusters will decorate their bare branches in winter. It can also accompany the fragrant honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), which blooms white in February, perfuming the surrounding air. In cool climates, it is beautiful all year round. It can be trained on a trellis, a fence, or even on a small wrought iron structure placed near a large pot on a patio.