Clematis Henryi

Clematis 'Henryi' is an old cultivar dating back to 1870 that has become a great classic in our gardens. This climbing clematis is prized for its enormous pure white flowers with a beautifully contrasting open heart of dark chocolate-coloured stamens. Its young foliage starts off bronze and turns light green over time. Its flowering braves the heat and lasts throughout summer, which sets it apart from other varieties of repeat-flowering clematis. Incredibly vigorous and large, it is perfect for covering old trees and large sections of unattractive walls. It can also be planted in borders where it can climb up to the sun by leaning on a tall bush. It is easy to grow and perfectly hardy. Plant it in well-drained and fertile soil, keeping its base moist.

The cultivar 'Henryi' comes from a creation by the nurseryman Isaac Anderson-Henry. It is a deciduous climber belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Like most of its cousins, it prefers light, deep, moist, and fertile soil that is preferably neutral. It enjoys a sunny or partially shaded position, with its base always in shade. It resists cold temperatures and is not afraid of frost, even if prolonged. However, it does not tolerate stagnant humidity, so the substrate must be well-drained and watering should be moderate (if necessary, during the first year). It can be grown in a container if the pot is large enough (minimum 60cm (24in) in diameter.

Clematis 'Henryi' can reach a height of up to 5m (16ft) and a width of 2m (7ft). The flowering of the 'Henryi' variety is particularly resistant to high summer temperatures and is more or less continuous, from June to September. It is a Group 2 clematis, which means it has large flowers and blooms in spring, with a second flowering in late summer. The lignified stems from the previous year bear flowers in spring from May to June. These flowers normally have 6 to 8 petals, reaching a diameter of 16 to 20cm (6 to 8in). The late summer flowering (carried by the current year's shoots) takes place in September. The second wave of flowers are single stars. They are normally composed of 6 to 8 somewhat pointed petals in the species, reaching a diameter of 16 to 20cm (6 to 8in). They reveal a heart of bristly stamens. Fruits appear afterwards, decorating the foliage until winter. The deciduous and bright green leaves are composed of 3 to 5 leaflets. They are carried by voluble petioles called tendrils that wrap themselves around their support

It will look wonderful in a container with a trellis to support it. It will flower for a long time, even in partial shade. Plant some spring bulbs or a geranium at its base and enjoy the spectacle with minimal maintenance. If you have a larger space, this vigorous clematis can weave through bushes or up a column, adding verticality to a colourful flower bed. Large-flowered repeat-blooming clematis are the best companions for roses. Consider letting 'Henryi' climb up a bush or small tree with dark foliage (cotinus, cercis, elder) to further highlight the luminous brightness of its flowers.