Clematis 'Golden Harvest'

Clematis tangutica 'Golden Harvest' was raised at the Boskoop Research Station in the Netherlands from a cross of Clematis serratifolia with, most likely, Clematis tangutica, and was named by Chris Sanders in 1990. Its 4–5 cm nodding, bell-shaped flowers are a vivid yellow, carried on four slender, pointed tepals; inside sit purple-violet filaments with dark yellow anthers that give off a faint citrus scent. As the flowers age they take on a greenish tinge and open flatter.

From July to August the flowers appear abundantly on the current year's growth; afterwards, decorative silky silver feathery seed-heads form, adorning the garden well into winter. Growing to around 300 cm, 'Golden Harvest' is noticeably more compact than some other Tangutica cultivars, making it well suited to smaller trellises, obelisks, fences and pergolas. It thrives in sunny to partly shaded positions — including east-, south- or west-facing aspects — and is happiest with its root area kept cool, for example under ground cover or a layer of gravel.

'Golden Harvest' is very hardy (zone 5, down to about -28 °C) and easy to care for: cut the plant hard back to 25 cm in March to encourage vigorous new growth and abundant flowering. Like all Pruning Group 3 cultivars, it breaks into growth relatively late in spring — there is no need for concern. As the sap can irritate the skin, wearing gloves when pruning is recommended.