Clematis 'Pendragon'

Clematis viticella 'Pendragon' originated in Great Britain and was raised around 1993 by Denis Bradshaw (Busheyfields Nursery). It was named in 1999 by Robin Savill, to whom its dusky colouring recalled medieval pageantry and King Arthur, whose family name was Pendragon. It is suspected to be a cross between Clematis crispa and Clematis viticella. The 5 cm, nodding flowers appear in violet-pink, the colour fading to a paler purple towards the base. They are lightly fragrant, similar to the cultivar 'Betty Corning'.

From June to August, 'Pendragon' flowers on the current season's growth. At around 300 cm, it is well suited to trellises, lattices and obelisks and can also be trained through small trees and shrubs. Choose a sunny to semi-shaded position – the scent shows to best advantage in the sun. The cultivar is undemanding about aspect and will even thrive against a north-facing wall.

Winter hardiness is very good at zone 5 (-28.8 to -23.4 °C). Cut the plant back to about 25 cm in March (pruning group 3); it will then shoot vigorously again. When planting, set 'Pendragon' so that the crown lies 5–8 cm below the soil surface – this allows new shoots to grow straight from the ground.