Clematis 'Vyvyan Pennell'

Clematis 'Vyvyan Pennell' was bred in 1959 by the British nursery Pennell & Sons from a cross of 'Daniel Deronda' and 'Beauty of Worcester', and named after Vyvyan Pennell, wife of breeder Walter Pennell. It remains one of the Pennells' best-known cultivars and later became a parent of further hybrids such as 'Richard Pennell' and 'Walter Pennell'. Its 12–15 cm flowers open on last year's wood in a densely double, rosette-like deep purple-violet with lavender and carmine tones at the centre, while the later flush on new growth is single and more violet.

The first, double flowering appears in June, followed by a single second flush from July to August. At around 200 cm, 'Vyvyan Pennell' is well suited to trellises, obelisks and other supports on walls, pergolas or fences. It prefers a sunny to semi-shaded spot — full sun favours the full, double flower form, while in semi-shade it grows a little more loosely.

'Vyvyan Pennell' is reliably winter-hardy (zone 6, down to about -23 °C). Cut the plant back to about 100 cm in June after the first flowering to encourage vigorous growth and a rich second flush. Like many older cultivars it is prone to clematis wilt, so a deep planting with a shaded root run pays off.