Clematis 'Fond Memories'

Clematis 'Fond Memories' comes from the British breeder Geoffrey Tolver, who raised it from seed of a Clematis florida var. sieboldiana. It first flowered in 1999 and was introduced by Thorncroft Clematis Nursery in 2004. Its 8–12 cm flowers are white to pale pinky-white with a fine, pale violet to rosy-lavender margin, and the reverse of the sepals is a deep rosy-lavender. The usually six overlapping, pointed sepals have a delicate satin sheen, set off by dark red-purple anthers.

'Fond Memories' flowers from June to September and reaches around 300 cm in height. It climbs trellises, obelisks and pergolas, but does just as well in a container. It likes a spot in sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil; keep the roots shaded, for example with low companion plants.

'Fond Memories' is assigned to hardiness zone 9 (down to about -7 °C); in harsh locations, winter protection is advisable. Plant it so that the crown sits a few centimetres below the soil surface. For vigorous growth and abundant flowers, cut it back to about 25 cm in March.