Clematis Beauty of Worcester

The Clematis Beauty Of Worcester is a truly graceful old variety of clematis, which always captivates with its vigor and the beauty of its large flowers. They are a fairly bright blue-violet with a hint of pink, enhanced by cream stamens. In late spring, they are filled with undulating petals, while those that appear in late summer are single and star-shaped. With its moderate growth, this small climbing plant is very suitable for small gardens and container cultivation.

Clematis belong to the renonculaceae family. The 'Beauty of Worcester' variety was obtained in 1886 in England. It is one of the two parents of the famous clematis 'Vyvyan Pennell'. It is a perfectly perennial and hardy plant, semi-woody and climbing, which will reach about 2.25m (7ft) to 2.50m (8ft) in height, with a minimum spread of 1m (3ft). The plant develops new shoots in spring, from buds located on the mature stems. Each stem produces a floral bud that blooms in May-June. A new flowering occurs on the young stems in August-September. This variety bears compound flowers with lanceolate-shaped tepals, quite narrow, resembling leaves, about 12.5cm (5in) wide, sometimes 15cm (6in). They are upright and have a lovely cluster of very pale yellow stamens in their center, contrasting with the blue-violet color of the tepals. The flowering is followed by decorative feathery silver-gray fruits that persist until winter. The deciduous leaves are divided into 3 or more leaflets, of a fairly deep green. This clematis clings to the support or host plant on its own through petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside your climbing roses or lianas to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. Place pretty perennials such as geraniums, carnations, sage nemorosa, and phlox at their base, which will provide the shade they appreciate. It is a genus rich in diversity, with varieties available in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their ease of cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Beauty of Worcester' loves to weave itself into bushes and performs very well in a large pot. It will work wonders in a beautiful jar on the terrace, in the garden among the border plants, or even on a small fence.