Clematis 'Durandii'

Clematis 'Durandii' was introduced back in 1870 by the French nursery Durand Frères and ranks among the oldest and best-loved varieties of all. It arose from a cross between Clematis integrifolia and Clematis lanuginosa. The 6-12 cm, slightly nodding flowers are deeply ribbed and glow in a rich indigo to violet-blue that lightens somewhat as the blooms age; four to six narrow, pointed and slightly twisted tepals surround creamy white to golden-yellow stamens.

From June to August, 'Durandii' produces its striking flowers in abundance. At around 200 cm it stays compact, but unlike most clematis hybrids it is not self-clinging: its leafstalks do not grip, so young shoots first grow upright before needing a trellis, a neighbouring shrub or a rose to lean on. In this way it scrambles through shrubs, climbing roses or enlivens an obelisk in its own distinctive style. It thrives in sun as well as semi-shade.

'Durandii' is reliably winter-hardy (zone 5, down to about -28 °C) and is regarded as robust and low-maintenance – a rewarding classic even for less experienced gardeners. As it flowers on new growth, cut the plant back hard to about 25 cm in March. For its garden merit it received the RHS Award of Garden Merit and has been recommended almost without exception in the specialist literature for over 150 years.