Clematis 'Eximia'

Clematis 'Eximia' – also known as 'Ballerina in Blue' – was selected in 1980 by Swedish breeder Magnus Johnson as a seedling of the wild species Clematis macropetala. Its double flowers, about 8 cm across, are violet and carry numerous narrow, prominent inner tepals along with cream-coloured stamens that give the flower its dense, full appearance.

Flowering runs from April to May, making 'Eximia' one of the earliest climbers of the garden year. Reaching a height of about 250 cm, it suits trellises, screens and obelisks well and can also be grown in a larger container. Like most alpine clematis, it prefers a sunny to partly shaded position with a cool, shaded root run.

With hardiness zone 5 (down to about -28.8 to -23.4 °C), 'Eximia' is reliably hardy and copes well with harsher winters outdoors. Since it flowers mainly on last year's wood, no hard pruning is needed – a light trim in June to about 100 cm is enough to keep it in shape. Like many newly planted clematis, 'Eximia' needs a little time after planting to establish itself and reach its full flowering potential.