Clematis 'Perle dAzur'

Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' was bred in 1885 by the French breeder François Morel and remains one of the best-loved classics among large-flowered varieties. Its blue flowers reach 8–10 cm across and first show a lighter, slightly violet tone that quickly fades to sky blue. Pink-flushed midribs and a yellowish-green eye give the blooms a fine contrast.

'Perle d'Azur' opens its flowers from July to September – over an unusually long period. At around 350 cm tall, it climbs vigorously on trellises, arches, pergolas and fences; it is especially charming combined with climbing roses, through which it may weave. It thrives in sunny to partly shaded spots in any aspect, provided the soil is moist and well-drained.

The variety is reliably hardy (zone 5, down to about -29 °C). As a member of pruning group 3, it is cut back hard to about 50 cm in March; it then flowers on the new growth of the year. Given its vigour, it is only moderately happy in a large container – planted in the border with a climbing support, it develops best.