Clematis 'Huldine'

Clematis 'Huldine' was raised around 1900 by French breeder Francisque Morel in Lyon from among many seedlings, and reached commerce via William Robinson's staff at Gravetye Manor in England; Ernest Markham first exhibited it in 1934, earning the RHS Award of Merit, later reconfirmed as an Award of Garden Merit. Its 8–10 cm flowers captivate with six gracefully arching, pearly-white tepals and golden-yellow stamens — held up to the light, the soft pink to mauve central bar on the reverse shows through, giving each bloom its characteristic translucent glow.

'Huldine' flowers from June to September and reaches an impressive 300 cm in height. It is superbly suited to trellises, espaliers and larger supports, but is equally happy clambering into small trees or shrubs, making an effective screen for larger gardens. A full-sun position is essential: only with enough warmth and light does the young wood build up the strength for a rich display of flowers.

Hardy to zone 6 (-23.3 to -17.8 °C), 'Huldine' belongs to pruning group 3 and should be cut back hard to about 50 cm in March — this encourages compact growth and abundant flowering on the new wood. Give the plant time to establish: in overly shady spots or while still young it can flower somewhat erratically, but with patience and plenty of sun it will show its full splendour year after year.