Clematis Huvi

Clematis 'Huvi' is a deciduous climber with remarkable star-shaped carmine red flowers, measuring 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) in diameter. They bloom more or less continuously from June to August when other flowers fade. Its velvet petals turn red-purple in shade and pale to dark pink in full sun. They curl as they mature to reveal a bright butter-yellow heart striped with red-purple stamens. This variety is medium-sized and fast-growing, making it incredibly versatile. It can adorn a pot on a patio, decorate flower beds by weaving between perennials, or climb on nearby bushes. It will quickly cover trellises and fences. Perfectly hardy, it needs moist, light and fertile soil. It is content with both full sun and partial shade.

The cultivar 'Huvi' is a hybrid resulting from a cross between Clematis 'Pohjanael' and C. 'Niobe', obtained in 1986 by the Estonian nurseryman Uno Kivistik. 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 appreciates a sunny or partially shaded position, with its base in the shade. It resists cold and does not fear frost. However, it does not like stagnant moisture, so the substrate must be well-draining and watering should be moderate (if necessary, during the first year). It is suitable for container cultivation if the pot is large enough (minimum diameter of 60cm (24in)).

Clematis 'Huvi' can reach a height of up to 2.5m (8ft) and a width of 1.5m (5ft). It is a group 2 clematis, meaning it has large flowers and blooms in spring, with a second flowering in late summer. The lignified stems from the previous year bear the spring flowers, while the herbaceous branches from the current year bear the second late summer flowering. The flowers, then single stars, are normally composed of 6 to 8 large petals. They reveal a heart of bristly stamens. Subsequently, fruits appear, which decorate the foliage until winter. The leaves, composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, are deciduous and a beautiful vibrant green. They are borne on voluble petioles called tendrils that wrap around their support.

Plant spring bulbs and some ground cover perennials such as white or blue flowering geraniums at its base and enjoy the show with minimal maintenance. If you have a larger space, this vigorous clematis can weave through shrubs or up a column to bring verticality to a colourful border. Clematis with large, repeat-flowering blooms are the best companions for roses. Its fairly dark flowering will be enhanced when planted with large shrubs with light green and golden foliage, or up a sunny pergola with other contrasting climbers such as the cream-coloured flowers of Akebia 'Cream Form'.