Clematis Taiga

Clematis Taiga, recently obtained in Japan, is a true work of art, unanimously awarded at Plantarium 2016 in the Garden, Balcony and Patio Plants category. This modest-sized variety is unique because of its large, very double flowers, reminiscent in structure to cactus dahlias. They open in 3 stages, starting from a large, light green central bud surrounded by a star with 6 thread-like branches that open into wide petals. The bud gradually unfolds into incurved, blue-violet petals, ending in green tips. The colour combination turns to purple-violet and white-cream pink. This surprising little vine blooms tirelessly throughout the summer. Of modest stature but with rapid growth, it is well suited for container cultivation.

The Clematis genus belongs to the family Ranunculaceae. 'Taiga' is a very recent cultivar from Japan, whose flower truly embodies the refined spirit that inhabits each of the Japanese varietal creations. 'Taiga', named after the forest of the same name, dotted with numerous lakes of icy blue, is covered with large, variegated flowers of blue-violet and cream-green from July to September. It belongs to the Florida group of clematis, which blooms on the current year's growth.

It is a woody, climbing perennial with short stems that will not exceed 2.50 m high, with a spread of 1m². The deciduous bright green leaves are sometimes tinged with purple and are composed of 3 ovate to lanceolate leaflets 3 to 7 cm (1 to 3in) long and 1.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) wide, or are single and ovate 7 to 10 cm long on reddish stems. The very double flowers are composed of innumerable, 6 to 8 cm elliptical tepals (undifferentiated petals) that fold back on themselves and taper at the tip. The centre is occupied by a large light green bud, surrounded by smaller petals, surmounting a collar of larger petals. The flowers are initially variegated with blue-violet, green and cream, and take on a more wine-like hue at maturity, forming a cluster of different shapes and improbable shades. This clematis clings to its support or host plant through twisting stems with petioles transformed into tendrils. This variety has good health and hardiness.

Plant clematis alongside your climbing roses or vines to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. This is a diverse genus with flowers of all colours, shapes and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. The surprising 'Taiga' variety will be perfect trained on a wall. Thanks to its modest size, it will easily fit in a small garden and be perfectly happy in a pot on a balcony or next to an entrance door, trained on a small structure to welcome visitors with its magical coloured flowers.