Clematis 'Omoshiro'

Clematis 'Omoshiro' was raised in 1988 by Japanese breeder Hiroshi Hayakawa from a cross with the pale lavender-blue 'Kathleen Wheeler' – its name means "amusing" or "white surface" in Japanese, an apt description of its blooms: 12–15 cm across, soft pink to almost white with a striking deep pink-red edge on the slightly wavy, overlapping sepals. Purple stamens on white filaments add a bold splash of colour at the centre, while the delicate veining on the sepals recalls its parent plant.

At around 250 cm, 'Omoshiro' climbs vigorously up trellises, obelisks and other supports, and also cuts a fine figure in a large container on the patio. The first flush appears in May and June, with a second flush continuing into August. Choose a sunny to semi-shaded spot – in hot, full-sun positions it grows less vigorously.

'Omoshiro' is reliably hardy (zone 6, down to about -23 °C). Since the flowers form on the previous year's wood, never prune hard in spring. Instead, for vigorous growth and a rich second flush, cut the plant back to about 100 cm in June, after the first flowering.