Clematis 'DANCING KING'

Clematis 'DANCING KING' (botanically C. 'Zodaki') was raised in 2000 by the Dutch breeder Wim Snoeijer from a cross of 'Mrs George Jackman' and 'Piilu', selected in 2004 and introduced in 2008. The variety bears upright, ball-shaped to opening, double flowers in pale violet-blue, 5 to 8 cm across. They open in a very pale purple and show yellowish stamens above ternate green foliage.

Growing up to 150 cm tall, 'DANCING KING' suits trellises, obelisks and container growing; in a pot it stays considerably smaller at first and starts flowering at a height of about 30 to 50 cm. The main flush appears from May to June, followed by a second flowering phase from July to September. For a repeat-flowering variety it is exceptionally free-flowering. It thrives in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.

'DANCING KING' is reliably winter-hardy (zone 6, down to about -23 °C). Light pruning in June after the first flowering period is enough; cut back to about 50 cm to encourage the second flush. Plant the clematis so that the crown sits 5 to 8 cm below the soil surface, so that it also shoots again from below ground.