Clematis 'Crystal Fountain'

Clematis 'Crystal Fountain' originated in Japan in 1994: breeder Hiroshi Hayakawa discovered it as a sport of the well-known variety 'H. F. Young'. Registered under the name Evipo038, it later came onto the market and was presented at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2002. Its 8–10 cm double flowers glow in delicate pale blue and carry a dense, fountain-like crown of silvery-mauve, petal-like stamens at the centre – the sight that gave the variety its name.

With its compact height of 150–180 cm, 'Crystal Fountain' flowers first from June to July and puts on another flush from September to October. Its compact form makes it an ideal candidate for containers (at least 45 cm deep and wide), for small trellises, obelisks and supports on balconies and patios, as well as for small gardens. It thrives in sunny to semi-shaded, sheltered spots, as long as the roots stay cool and shaded.

'Crystal Fountain' is reliably winter-hardy (zone 4, down to about -34 °C) and belongs to pruning group 2: cut the plant back to about 100 cm after the first flowering in July so it regrows vigorously and flowers richly again in autumn.