Clematis 'Proteus'

Clematis 'Proteus' was raised in 1876 by English breeder Charles Noble from a cross of C. viticella 'Grandiflora' with 'Fortunei'. It is named after Proteus, the Greek god of shape-changing – and rightly so: the 12–15 cm flowers in pale purple open semi- to fully double in early summer, with up to 100 tepals in about ten rows, the darker mauve tone lightening with each layer. White filaments and cream anthers add delicate accents; in late summer the flowers open single.

At around 200 cm, 'Proteus' climbs trellises, pergolas, walls and poles and can also be grown in a container. The double first flush appears in June, followed by the single second flush from July to August. It is happiest in partial shade but tolerates sunny positions; the soil should be moist and well-drained.

'Proteus' is reliably hardy (zone 6, down to about -23 °C). As the early flowers form on the previous year's wood, prune only lightly in spring. For vigorous growth and a rich second flush, cut the plant back to about 75 cm in June, after the first flowering.