Clematis Bees' Jubilee

Clematis 'Bees' Jubilee' is one of the most floriferous varieties, bearing large mauve-pink flowers with wide carmine stripes. They appear from May to June and bloom again in September. With a fairly compact growth and sturdy habit, this clematis is more suitable for cultivation in pots and small gardens. It is hardy everywhere. Plant it in a location where its head will be in the sun and its base in the shade of a perennial ground cover.

The 'Bees' Jubilee' cultivar was developed by the English nursery Bee's Ltd Nurseries in 1958 and named to celebrate their 25th anniversary. This deciduous climber belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. Like most of its cousins, this clematis prefers light, deep, moist, and fertile soil that is preferably neutral. It appreciates a sunny or partially shaded position, with its base always in the shade. It is frost-resistant and can withstand even prolonged freezing temperatures. However, it does not like stagnant moisture, so the substrate should be well-draining and watering should be moderate (if necessary, especially in the first year). It can be grown in a pot if the container is sufficiently large (minimum 60cm (24in) in diameter).

'Bees' Jubilee' is a reasonably sized climber that can reach 2m (7ft) in height and 1m (3ft) in width. It belongs to Group 2 of clematis, which means it flowers in spring and blooms again in autumn. The previous year's stems will bear the spring flowers from May to June. The first flowers of this variety can be double. These flowers normally have 5 to 9 tepals and reach 15 to 18cm (6 to 7in) in diameter. The late summer flowering (carried by the current year's branches) occurs in September. The flowers, then single stars, display the same shades that give them a piquant charm. The tepals, ending in a point and often with undulated margins, overlap in this species. Fruits then appear, decorating the foliage and remaining until winter. The leaves, composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, are deciduous and a beautiful bright green. They are borne on voluble petioles that twine around their support.

In a pot, with a trellis to support it, 'Bees' Jubilee' will reward owners of a small balcony and will flower for a long time, even in partial shade. Place some spring bulbs or a geranium at its base and enjoy the show with minimal maintenance. It can also be paired with a bell-shaped flowering clematis, such as  C. viticella 'Etoile Rose', which has a light form and bright colour. If you have a larger space, this non-invasive clematis can climb a bamboo teepee or column, adding verticality to a bed with vibrant colours.