Clematis patens Anna Louise™ Evithree

The Clematis Anna Louise 'Evithree' offers large flowers adorned with a wide red median zone on a violet-blue background, a rather rare colour that catches the eye. This remontant variety blooms abundantly in late spring, and again in late summer, albeit more modestly. Its compact size makes it suitable for gardens of all sizes, as well as for a lovely pot on the terrace. 'Anna Louise' received the "Award of Garden Merit" from the RHS in 2002, the equivalent of the Palme d'Or for the plant world.

The Clematis Anna Louise is a horticultural creation by Raymond Evison dating back to 1998. It is a perennial climbing plant of the Ranunculaceae family. This selection can reach a height of up to 2.50 m (8ft). The previous year's stems will bear flowers in spring, starting from the month of May until June. These flowers are composed of 6 to 8 tepals and reach 15 cm (6in) in diameter. The late summer flowering (carried by the current year's branches), less abundant, will take place in September. The tepals, ending in a point and with undulate margins, change colour from blue to violet. In the centre, there is a large red-coloured zone that enhances the overall appearance. They open fully and reveal a heart of creamy white stamens with purple tips. Afterwards, feathery and silvery fruits appear, they will adorn the foliage and remain until winter. The leaves, composed of 3 to 5 leaflets, are a beautiful vibrant green. They are borne by voluble stems that coil around their support through the leaf petiole transformed into tendrils.

In a container, with a trellis to support it, 'Anna Louise' will reward owners of a small balcony and will flourish even in partial shade. Plant a few spring bulbs at its base and enjoy the spectacle with minimal maintenance. To enhance this scene further, the clematis varieties 'Baby Star' and Prince Charles as well as the 'pink and white pergola collection' will keep it company in perfect harmony. Finally, if you have a larger space, this unobtrusive clematis will weave its way through a bush, a climbing rose, a bamboo teepee, or a column, adding verticality to a romantically inspired flowerbed.