Clematis 'Aphrodite'

Clematis 'Aphrodite' was raised before 1998 by the Japanese breeder Masatake Udagawa and derives from a cross of Clematis florida with 'Hendersonii'. Its flowers, 6–8 cm across, are violet-blue and overlaid with a dense network of darker, bluish-purple veins. The four narrow sepals are set loosely apart, with wavy margins and recurved tips; white filaments with bluish-purple anthers add delicate accents at the centre of the flower.

From July to September, 'Aphrodite' opens its flowers. At around 250 cm tall, it grows as a herbaceous clematis: like the clematis of its group as a whole, it does not climb by itself but leans on supports or grows loosely through shrubs and roses. In a perennial border, on an obelisk or among sturdy woody partners, it shows to good effect.

'Aphrodite' is hardy to Zone 6 and withstands temperatures of -23.3 to -17.8 °C. In March, cut the plant back to about 25 cm – this corresponds to the hard pruning of pruning group 3 and encourages vigorous growth and plentiful flowering. Care therefore stays manageable.