Clematis Margaret Hunt

Clematis Margaret Hunt is a lovely variety whose large flowers stand out with a very bright mauve pink colour, adorned with pleasantly contrasting crimson stamens. They bloom abundantly in spring, and again at the end of summer, transforming any support into a floral curtain. This small climber can be planted in the garden, or a large pot on the terrace or balcony.

The Clematis genus belongs to the ranunculaceae family. 'Margaret Hunt' is a horticultural variety obtained in England in 1960. It is derived in particular from Clematis patens, a woody clematis native to low-altitude forests in the northern Japanese islands. It belongs to the group of clematis that flower twice. The first flowering appears in spring, in May-June, on the previous year's shoots, then the second in September on the current year's shoots. It is a woody perennial climber that will reach approximately 3m (10ft) high, with a spread of about 1m². Every spring, numerous shoots emerge from its base.

This clematis bears flowers with a diameter of 12 to 14cm (5 to 6in), which are single and composed of 6 petal-shaped leaves, tapering at the base and slightly wavy at the edges. Their pastel colour varies from rosy mauve to lavender pink, and they have a cluster of crimson-purple anthered stamens. The flowers are solitary or grouped in cymes. The leaves are either simple or trifoliate, dark green, and strongly veined. This clematis clings to its support or host plant using petioles transformed into tendrils. The deciduous foliage dries up and falls in autumn.

Plant clematis alongside your climbing roses or vines to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. Let 'Margaret Hunt' climb on dwarf conifers, bamboo, or Mexican orange trees to bring their beautiful foliage to life twice a year. This is a genus rich in diversity, with flowers of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Margaret Hunt' will also thrive in a beautiful container on a balcony or next to an entrance door.