Clematis 'Grandiflora'

Clematis recta 'Grandiflora' arose from a cross between Clematis angustifolia and Clematis recta and, like its parent species, belongs to the Flammula Group. Its name says it all: at up to 6 cm across, its white, star-shaped flowers with four narrow sepals are noticeably larger than those of the wild species, which usually reach only 3 to 4 cm. They also give off the group's characteristic hawthorn-like scent.

From June to July 'Grandiflora' bears its flowers in dense panicles. At around 100 cm it stays more compact than some other recta varieties and, typical for the species, grows as a herbaceous perennial rather than a climber. That makes it a lovely addition to perennial borders and rose beds, or as a solitary specimen with light support — it thrives best in a sunny, airy, well-drained spot.

'Grandiflora' is reliably winter-hardy (zone 5, -28.8 to -23.4 °C). Cut it back hard to about 10 cm in March — it reliably reshoots from the rootstock and rewards the pruning with dense growth and abundant flowers. Bees and butterflies readily visit the fragrant flowers; give the plant one to two years after planting to establish.