Clematis 'Sophie'

Clematis 'Sophie' is a compact Japanese cultivar bred by Mikiyoshi Chikuma: bred in 1992, first flowered in 1995 and named in 2001. Its small, bell- to urn-shaped nodding flowers reach about 2 cm across and consist of four violet sepals with lighter margins, their pointed tips curling back attractively. Inside, the flowers lighten to a yellowish tone in places, set off by yellow stamens on long, purple pedicels.

At only around 100 cm tall, 'Sophie' stays remarkably compact while flowering for an unusually long season – from April to September. This size makes it ideal for containers on a balcony or patio, for small trellises and obelisks, or as a delicate splash of colour among lower perennials. It thrives best in a sunny, wind-sheltered spot with a consistently moist, never-drying root run.

'Sophie' is reliably hardy (zone 6, down to about -23 °C). Since its flowers form on the current year's growth, cut the plant back hard to about 25 cm in March – it will then resprout reliably and keep showing its distinctive bell-shaped flowers continuously from spring through autumn.