Clematis Rosamunde

Clematis 'Rosamunde' is a charming variety which flowers twice, allowing you to enjoy its beautiful blooms for nearly the whole summer. From June onwards, large flowers in the shape of stars appear, a light pink tinged with salmon and highlighted by a dark pink stripe at the centre of each petal. The open corolla is adorned with a yellow stamen heart, which contrasts pleasantly with the pink. Its beautiful green foliage harmonises perfectly with the flowers, making this small climbing plant a gem for the garden. Its compact size means it can be planted in a pot to enhance a terrace or balcony.

Clematis is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, like Anemones, Trollius, Hellebores, and many other ornamental genera. With approximately 300 species, the genus Clematis includes numerous climbers, as well as some herbaceous perennials, such as Clematis stans. Clematis patens, from which 'Rosamunde' originates, is a woody clematis native to low-altitude forests in northern Japanese islands, described in 1836. It belongs to the group of Clematis that bloom twice. The first blooms appear in spring on the previous year's shoots, followed by a second flowering in late summer on the current year's growth. This characteristic explains its success since its introduction to Europe in the second half of the 19th century, where it has been extensively hybridized to produce numerous horticultural varieties.

Rosamunde is a cultivar that appeared on the market in the year 2000, created by the German breeder Willem Straver. This Clematis bears quite large, patens-type flowers (8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in)), first from June, and then again later in summer. This long flowering period is the main asset of this beautiful variety, with its open star-shaped flowers composed of 6 to 10 tepals (the term used for petals and sepals that are morphologically very similar in this plant). The pointed-tip tepals are a beautiful light pink with a hint of salmon and streaked in the middle with a dark pink stripe that runs from the centre to the edge. The corolla's centre is occupied by a cluster of yellow stamens, which adds to the romantic charm of the blooms. The deciduous tri palmate leaves are a lovely vibrant green, which perfectly complements the flower colour. This Clematis attaches itself to a support or host plant using modified petioles that form tendrils. With a rather fast growth rate (about 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) per year), it will reach 2 m (7ft) high with a width of 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5ft). It can be grown in a container, making it ideal for decorating a small trellis on a terrace. If planted in the garden, it will thrive in any good garden soil that is sufficiently rich in organic matter, not too dry or too wet (and, in all cases, well-drained). It prefers full sun with some protection at the base (a flat tile works perfectly) and can tolerate dappled shade. It is quite hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -23°C.

Rosamunde is a small Clematis with a romantic charm that will pair perfectly with roses when planted at the base of a fence. The Swany Groundcover Rose with its intricate white flowers that bloom at the same time would be an excellent choice. The Bobo Panicle Hydrangea, a very compact Hydrangea, would also make a great foreground with its large white flower heads turning pale pink towards the end of the season. To end on an equally romantic note, plant Marie Blue Ceanothus with its ethereal sky-blue summer blooms in your flower bed to create a contrast with Rosamunde's pink…