Clematis 'Diamantina'

Clematis 'Diamantina' is a fully double-flowered variety bred by Raymond Evison, launched in 2010 as part of his Regal collection – a sport (bud mutation) of the variety 'Fairy Blue'. Its 5–10 cm flowers are densely double and pompon-shaped: from a compact centre, numerous narrow tepals unfurl in violet with a shimmer of lavender to purple.

At 150–180 cm, 'Diamantina' stays pleasantly compact, making it ideal for containers, small trellises and obelisks on patios and balconies, as well as for trellises in smaller gardens. It flowers in two flushes – from May to June and again from July to September – and thrives in a sunny to semi-shaded spot, provided the root zone stays cool and shaded.

'Diamantina' is reliably winter-hardy (zone 4, down to about -34 °C) and rewards attentive care with lush flowering for many years. Cut the plant back to about 100 cm in June after the first flush, so it regrows vigorously and blooms in full splendour again in late summer.