Clematis Spotlight

Clematis 'Spotlight' is distinguished by particularly bright star-shaped flowers, in a pale mauve-blue, with pink central bands that become very light when fully open, giving it character and texture. It also stands out for its small size, great for small gardens and terraces. This variety blooms generously in spring, and again in late summer.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. They are found in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia, and North and Central America. The 'Spotlight' variety, recently introduced in the Netherlands, is a perennial, semi-woody climbing plant that will reach about 2m (7ft) high, with a minimum spread of 1m (3ft). This clematis bears single flowers, that can reach 10cm (4in) in diameter, on the previous year's shoots, in May-June, and then on the current year's shoots in September, depending on the climate. The flowers are solitary, with 6 broad pointed petals with wavy edges that slightly overlap. The flower's centre is adorned with a crown of pale yellow stamens. The flowers are followed by decorative silver-grey feathery seed heads that persist until winter. The stems bear smoothleaves, divided into 3 elliptical to lanceolate, dark green leaflets. This clematis clings firmly to its support or host plant through transformed petioles that become tendrils. Its deciduous foliage dries up in autumn.

Plant clematis with your climbing or rambling roses ('New Dawn', 'Mme Caroline Testout', 'Pink Ghislaine de Feligonde'), to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It is a diverse genus with flowers in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their ease of cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Spotlight' will go well with the pink flowers of the Isabella clematis, the red ones of Rebecca, or the white ones of the 'Superba' or 'Miss Bateman' varieties, for climbing a small fence or covering a wall exposed to the morning sun. Sweet peas also complement small clematis and provide fragrance.

Tips: Avoid excessive fertiliser applications which may stimulate foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch to avoid excessive moisture.