Clematis montana Double Delight - Anemone Clematis

Double Delight is a new variety of Clematis montana that is remarkable for its abundant white flowers with a delightful vanilla or chocolate fragrance. This vigorous climber will thrive in almost any soil that does not dry out too much during flowering. It will conquer an ugly fence, an old tree, a building, or a gate, covering them with lush, dark green foliage. It often blooms again at the end of summer. This charming clematis requires no pruning. It brings a breath of fresh air to romantic or English gardens, even in the mountains.

Clematis Double Delight is a recently obtained semi-woody and climbing perennial plant, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. This voluptuous clematis will reach a height of 5 to 6m (16 to 20ft) in a few years, with a minimum spread of 2.5m² (8ft²). This variety is derived from C. montana, native to the Himalayas, an excellent garden plant widely planted in many of our regions. Like its parent, it does not require pruning, or only above a height of 2m (7ft), after flowering.

This clematis bears double flowers, 8 to 9 m (3 to 4in) in diameter. They bloom in April-May, and again on the new shoots in August-September. The bisexual flowers are grouped in axillary clusters of 1 to 5 flowers with long pedicels. They appear on the previous year's branches. They have numerous oval to lanceolate tepals, wider and longer on the outside of the corolla, smaller and tinged with green in the centre. They gracefully open in a star shape with a yellow stamen heart. Their colour is a diaphanous white, tinted with pistachio-green in the centre. The spicy and sweet fragrance of the flowers is reminiscent of chocolate or vanilla. The leaves are simple and palmate, with irregularly serrated edges. They are purple when young, before turning dark green, in perfect harmony with the white flowers. This clematis attaches itself to the support or host plant through voluble petioles, which transform into tendrils.

Plant Double Delight alongside climbing roses to extend the flowering period of walls and pergolas until the end of summer. The Clematis genus is rich in diversity, with varieties in all colours, shapes, and sizes, suitable for knowledgeable gardeners or beginners. Choose one of these climbers to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. Double Delight requires space to fully show its beauty. It will be magnificent in front of the house, entwined around a wrought iron gate. It will welcome visitors with its romantic and fragrant blooming. 

Avoid excessive use of fertilisation, as it promotes foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Avoid mulching to prevent excessive moisture, which can lead to disease.