Clematis 'Sunny Sky'

The Clematis 'Sunny Sky' was bred by Dutch breeder Wim Snoeijer in 2000 and introduced in 2009 under the cultivar code 'Zosusk' – the same year it received the Gold Plantarium 2009 award. The 5–8 cm flowers, formed from four slightly concave tepals that touch at the base, are purple-violet with a darker central bar on each petal, complemented by dark red stamens set against pale green filaments.

'Sunny Sky' flowers abundantly and continuously from June to September on the current year's growth. Reaching around 200 cm in height, it makes a compact climber for trellises, trellis panels and obelisks, thrives in containers, and – thanks to its restrained growth – won't overwhelm even smaller shrubs. It prefers a sunny spot but also tolerates partial shade.

'Sunny Sky' is very hardy (zone 5, down to about -28 °C). Cut it back hard to around 25 cm in March so it sends up fresh growth from last year's wood and flowers reliably through summer.