Clematis 'Etoile Nacree'

Clematis 'Étoile Nacrée', raised by Japanese breeder Masayoshi Okuboo, is also known under its original cultivar name 'Sakurahime' – 'cherry blossom princess' – while its French trade name means 'pearly star', aptly describing its flowers: the 10–15 cm, star-shaped blooms open a soft lilac-pink and quickly lighten to a radiant white with a fine pearly sheen, set off by creamy-yellow stamens.

'Étoile Nacrée' flowers twice: first in June, then again from July to August. At around 300 cm, this vigorous clematis is ideal for trellises, obelisks and other supports, and also does well in a large container. It thrives in sun to partial shade — even on east- or north-facing walls it feels at home, as long as its roots stay cool and shaded.

The variety is reliably winter-hardy (zone 6, down to about -23 °C) and rewards you with vigorous new growth and a rich second flush if you cut it back to about 100 cm after the first flowering in June. As a member of the patens hybrids, it needs only light pruning and proves easy-care and reliably free-flowering.