Clematis I AM RED ROBIN

Clematis 'Red Robin' belongs to the I AM® series from van Zoest and was raised in 1998 by Dutch breeder Wim Snoeijer; J. van Zoest B.V. introduced it in 2005. As an atragene cultivar it bears small, nodding, bell-shaped flowers of around 5 cm in red with a violet tinge, paler towards the tips and deepest in colour at the base, with yellowish margins. The four glossy sepals surround filaments from white to purple with white anthers, and several flowers sit on each stalk.

From April to August 'Red Robin' keeps producing new flowers, flowering later and for longer than many other atragenes; each single flower lasts 7 to 10 days. At around 150 cm it stays pleasantly compact and suits trellises, obelisks and smaller climbing frames, as well as a large container. A position in full sun to partial shade with free-draining soil is ideal; in a container, good drainage keeps growth healthy. The pretty buds and the autumn colour are an ornament too.

'Red Robin' is very hardy (zone 5, down to about -29 °C). It flowers mainly on the previous year's wood, occasionally later on new growth as well. Cut it back to about 75 cm in June and it stays dense and compact.