Clematis 'Rüütel'

Clematis 'Rüütel' – Estonian for "Knight" – was selected in 1984 at the Kivistik nursery in Roogoja, Estonia. It was raised from 'Ernest Markham' crossed with the older Kivistik hybrid 'Valge Daam'. What sets 'Rüütel' apart among red clematis is a flower that is dramatically red through and through: the four to eight sepals glow with a deep, strong red, and the centre exceeds even them in intensity. The dark reddish-brown anthers retain red connective tissue long after the pollen is shed, so the impressive depth of colour persists throughout the long fading period. In certain lights, new blossoms carry a velvety greyish sheen that further enriches the red.

'Rüütel' blooms abundantly from July to September with flowers 10–12 cm across. It grows to a compact 200 cm and suits trellises, obelisks and pergolas as well as container growing on a terrace or balcony. It tolerates all aspects from full sun to partial shade, and looks particularly striking when grown alongside white roses or silver-grey foliage.

'Rüütel' is hardy to Zone 6 (–23.3 to –17.8 °C) and well suited to German gardens. In March, cut the stems back to about 50 cm to promote vigorous new growth and abundant flowering. In milder climates 'Rüütel' can also flower on the previous year's wood – a trait inherited from 'Ernest Markham' – and a lighter pruning may produce slightly earlier and larger blooms; in severe winters, the standard March cut-back is the most reliable approach.