Clematis Perida

Clematis Perida, obtained in Germany by Willem Straver in 2002, remains to this day one of the best clematis with large red flowers. Firstly for the power of its colour, then for its ease of cultivation and finally for its small size, perfect for pot cultivation and gardens of all sizes. This small climber has lots of medium-sized flowers in summer, ranging from pure crimson red when opening, to magenta. It will flower better in bright exposure, but not direct sunlight.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. They are found in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia and North and Central America. The 'Perida' clematis is a perennial, semi-woody, climbing plant, which will reach about 2m (7ft) high, with a spread of 1m (3ft). This clematis has open flowers, measuring 8 to 12cm (3 to 5in) in diameter, which appear on the current year's shoots from June to the end of August, in successive waves. The flowers are solitary with 6 wide, slightly wavy, crimson red tepals, which slightly overlap. The centre of the flower is adorned with a beautiful crown of stamens tinted red with a cream base and purple anthers. The colour of the flowers changes to a dark magenta pink. The flowers are followed by decorative feathery silver-grey seed heads that persist until winter. The smooth leaves are divided into 3 elliptical to lanceolate, dark green leaflets. This clematis clings firmly to the support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils. Its deciduous foliage is absent in winter.

Plant clematis near your climbing or rambling roses ('New Dawn', 'Mme Caroline Testout', 'Zéphirine Drouhin'), to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It 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. 'Perida' will pair well with the blue flowers of Hudson River clematis, the violet flowers of Romantika, or the white flowers of 'Superba' or 'Miss Bateman', to climb a fence or cover a wall exposed to the morning sun.

Tips: Avoid excessive fertiliser that stimulates foliage at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch, to avoid excessive moisture.