Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica

Clematis 'cirrhosa var. balearica' is not a bred cultivar but a natural variety of the wild species Clematis cirrhosa: it was introduced to England from the Balearic Islands in 1783 and has carried their name ever since. It differs from the wild species chiefly in its more finely cut, fern-like foliage – hence the English name 'fern-leaved clematis'. Its 4–6 cm, bell-shaped nodding flowers are creamy white with purple speckles inside, set off by yellow stamens, and carry a light lemon fragrance.

Growing to around 400 cm, 'cirrhosa var. balearica' suits trellises, pergolas and larger climbing frames on a sunny, sheltered wall – ideally facing south or south-west. Its main flowering runs from October to April, filling exactly the quiet season when most other climbers are dormant. In colder regions it can also be grown in a container and overwintered frost-free.

'cirrhosa var. balearica' is hardy to zone 9 (-6.6 to -1.2 °C) and holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. As it flowers on the previous year's wood, it needs no regular pruning; simply cut it back to about 200 cm in May after flowering to keep it compact. Its evergreen foliage stays in place year-round – just take care when pruning, as the sap can irritate skin, so gloves help.