Clematis 'Olgae'

The Clematis 'Olgae' belongs to the Integrifolia Group and is probably named after the Russian botanist Olga Fedtschenko. Its lightly scented, bell-shaped flowers reach 5 cm across, appear in a mid violet-blue and often have slightly twisted, slender tepals – followed after flowering by silky, silvery seed heads.

From July to August, 'Olgae' produces its flowers on the current year's growth. At only around 50 cm tall, it is one of the lowest-growing clematis of all and does not climb by itself, growing instead in a slender, upright to slightly leaning habit. This makes it ideal for border edges, rock gardens, containers on balconies and terraces, or as a companion to low perennials and shrubs it can lean against. A sunny to partially shaded position with well-drained, moderately moist soil suits it best.

'Olgae' is very hardy (zone 5, down to about -28.8 to -23.4 °C) and belongs to pruning group 3: cut the stems back hard to around 10 cm above the ground in March, so the plant reliably flowers on the new growth in summer. Like other members of the Integrifolia Group, it is considered robust, easy-care and little prone to wilt – a rewarding choice for beginners to clematis growing, too.