Clematis 'Early Sensation'

The Clematis forsteri 'Early Sensation' was introduced in 1995 by British breeder Graham Hutchins of Essex, a cross between a paniculata hybrid and Clematis paniculata. The species itself originates from New Zealand. Its 5-7 cm, bell-shaped flowers are pleasantly scented and show 6 to 8 broadly elliptical, overlapping white tepals with a hint of lemon-yellow; the centre starts greenish and lightens later. Greenish-yellow to creamy filaments carry yellow to purplish-red anthers.

'Early Sensation' flowers early in the year, from March to April, ahead of the montana varieties. Reaching around 250 cm, this evergreen, finely cut-leaved variety suits trellises and obelisks as well as containers, where in cooler regions it can also overwinter under glass. It prefers well-drained soil.

'Early Sensation' is rated for zone 9 (-6.6 to -1.2 °C) and is therefore considerably more frost-tender than most large-flowered hybrids – in exposed locations, winter protection or container growing is advisable. For vigorous growth and abundant flowering, cut it back to about 75 cm in May.