Clematis viticella 'Rubra'

The Clematis viticella 'Kermesina (Rubra)' is an old variety introduced in 1883 by Victor Lemoine; it has the robustness of the viticella clematis, but produces larger, more open flowers in a sumptuous carmine red with hints of pink and purple. It blooms all summer on vigorous growth, with light yet abundant foliage. It tolerates sunny exposures and is content with ordinary, well-worked garden soil. This beautiful and carefree climber will live in the garden for many years.

The genus Clematis belongs to the buttercup family. 'Kermesina', often called Clematis viticella 'Rubra', is an old horticultural variety, derived in particular from Clematis viticella, native to southern Europe. It belongs to the clematis that blooms in summer on the current year's growth. It is a semi-woody and vigorous climbing perennial plant that will reach a height of 3m (10ft) to 4.50m (15ft), with a spread of 1.50m² and rapid growth.

This clematis bears single viticella-type flowers, 4 to 6 cm (2in) in diameter, from June to September, mainly in the upper half of the growth. The flowers are solitary, more or less upright or pendulous. They bloom on stems, reaching a minimum length. They have four broad petals, slightly curled at the edges, in a dark red-pink-purple colour, almost fully open in a star shape with a small white heart and dark brown-purple stamens. Decorative feathery fruits follow the flowering in a somewhat silvery grey colour. The leaves are simple, divided into small ovate to lanceolate leaflets, relatively light green with irregularly serrated edges. This clematis clings to a support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils. The name of this variety, Kermesina, is said to come from Kermes, the translation of an Arabic word for an insect (Kermes illicus) whose dried and ground body was used in the Middle Ages to obtain a gorgeous deep red pigment. Kermes, carmine, and crimson are derived from the same word. 

Plant your clematis alongside your climbing roses or vines to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It is a diverse genus with flowers of all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of the easy cultivation of varieties derived from C. viticella to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Kermesina' is quickly grown in a sunny position and ordinary soil. It can be allowed to climb a shrub with a different flowering time, such as a lilac, mock orange, or Japanese quince. It also grows well in a large container on a sunny patio or balcony.