Clematis 'Maidwell Hall'

Clematis macropetala 'Maidwell Hall' is a selection of Clematis macropetala introduced in England by George Jackman & Son in 1956. Its naming history is tangled: Jackman first listed the selection as 'Lagoon' and renamed it because it was supposed to match Oliver Wyatt's clone of the same name, which can no longer be traced. The nodding, bell-shaped flowers are semi-double and blue to lavender-blue; the outer sepals change to plum red towards the base, and the inner staminodes are a paler blue-grey.

'Maidwell Hall' flowers from April to May with 6-8 cm blooms and reaches a height of around 300 cm. It suits trellises, fences and walls, but is equally happy growing through small trees and shrubs, and can be grown in a container. As an Atragene it thrives in sun as well as partial shade and in any aspect, including a north-facing one; the soil should be moist but well-drained, and the root area should stay cool and shaded.

This variety is very hardy (zone 5, -28.8 to -23.4 °C). Cut 'Maidwell Hall' back to about 100 cm in June. After flowering, silvery, feathery seedheads decorate the plant into autumn.