Clematis 'Gipsy Queen'

Clematis 'Gipsy Queen' is a true garden legend: introduced as early as 1877 by the British nursery Cripps & Son, it was raised from a cross of C. patens and C. 'Jackmanii'. In 1912, garden writer William Robinson praised it as a variety that can be trusted to give lovely effects – and rightly so. Its 10 to 15 cm flowers are a deep, velvety violet-blue; when they first open, a slightly reddish-purple flush runs along the midrib. The 4 to 6 broad tepals frame a striking centre of purple-red stamens on pale violet to cream filaments – a colour combination without equal.

'Gipsy Queen' flowers from July to September on the current year's growth, providing a spectacular show precisely when many other climbers have already finished blooming. At around 300 cm it is ideal for trellises, fences and obelisks, as well as for large containers at least 45 cm deep. It makes a particularly beautiful companion for white, pink or apricot-coloured climbing roses – the dark flowers play wonderfully against pale rose tones. For beginners, it is one of the most rewarding clematis to grow.

'Gipsy Queen' is remarkably hardy at Zone 6 (−23.3 to −17.8 °C), making it well suited to a wide range of garden climates. Care is limited to a single pruning: cut the stems back to around 50 cm in March. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, it ranks among the most highly recommended clematis for any garden.