Clematis x viticella Sea Breeze

Clematis Sea Breeze, a recent Canadian variety from the Vancouver series, is perfectly hardy, exceptionally floriferous, and disease-resistant. With a modest size, it fits easily in a small garden or in a pot on a patio. From May to October, this vibrant plant produces purple buds that open into large star-shaped flowers, with a bright lavender-blue colour sometimes touched with pink and enhanced by creamy stamens in the centre. This wonderful little climber should be planted in full sun or partial shade, in a romantic or English-style garden.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. They can be found in both hemispheres, including Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia, and North and Central America. This variety is a hardy semi-woody climbing plant that will reach a height of about 2m (7ft), with a minimum spread of 80cm (32in). It has the genes of C. viticella, a species that is particularly disease-resistant and thrives in relatively dry soils.

The star-shaped flowers with six petals, measuring 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) in diameter, appear on the previous year's wood in May-June. They bloom again on the current year's growth, until the end of summer, or even into autumn. The flowers are either solitary or grouped in clusters and are particularly abundant. They are upright and have 6 undulate petals in a bright satin lavender-blue shade. The centre of the flower is adorned with a creamy-yellow stamen cluster. The flowering is followed by decorative feathery silver-grey fruits that persist until winter. The deep green and deciduous leaves are pinnate, with lanceolate leaflets with acute tips. This clematis clings to supports or host plants by means of petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside climbing roses to extend the flowering period of walls and pergolas until the end of summer. Place them next to beautiful perennials such as geraniums, carnations, sage nemorosa, and phlox, which will provide the shade it appreciates at its base. It is a rich and diverse genus, with varieties available in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their ease of cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. Sea Breeze loves to weave its way through shrubs and performs very well in a large pot.