Clematis 'Vienetta'

Clematis florida 'Vienetta' (trade name 'Viennetta', cultivar designation 'Evipo006') was raised in 1995 from a cross by Danish breeder Mogens Nyegaard Olesen and British clematis specialist Raymond J. Evison — the seed parent is Clematis florida 'Evipure', while the second parent was never disclosed. The variety was introduced in 2002 in Denmark and the United Kingdom. Its 5–10 cm flowers open double: creamy-white to faintly greenish outer sepals surround a striking, dome-shaped centre of purple-tinted, pompom-like stamens.

From June to October 'Vienetta' produces its unusual flowers in great numbers. At 200 to 300 cm it is an excellent climber for trellises, obelisks and pergolas, yet compact enough for a large container on a sunny, sheltered terrace or balcony. Choose a sunny to semi-shaded spot with free-draining, slightly alkaline soil — this is where it develops its fullest bloom.

Clematis florida 'Vienetta' is hardy to zone 7 (-17.7 to -12.3 °C). Cut it back hard to about 25 cm in March so it reshoots vigorously and flowers abundantly. It dislikes waterlogged soil — make sure the soil is free-draining, and protect young plants with a mulch layer through their first winters.