Clematis 'Little Artist'

Clematis integrifolia 'Little Artist' was introduced in 2007 by Japanese breeder Kozo Sugimoto and belongs to the integrifolia group of herbaceous clematis. Its small, nodding, bell-shaped flowers reach 4-5 cm across and show four slender, elliptical sepals with tips that are sometimes twisted or slightly recurved – in a rich purple-violet with darker central stripes that lighten towards the margin.

From June to October, 'Little Artist' produces a steady succession of new flowers, most abundant in early summer. At just 25 to 30 cm, it stays very compact, growing not as a climber but with weak, sprawling stems that at most lean on neighbours. This makes it ideal for the front of the perennial border, among low shrubs, or in containers on a patio or balcony; after flowering, fluffy seedheads decorate the plant into October.

'Little Artist' is exceptionally winter-hardy (zone 4, down to about -34 °C) and tolerates almost any position, though it prefers a sunny spot with fertile, well-drained soil. Cut the plant back hard to about 10 cm in March so it stays compact and flowers abundantly.