Clematis heracleifolia Cote dAzur

Clematis heracleifolia 'Côte d'Azur' is a non-climbing variety of herbaceous clematis which forms a fairly wide bushy clump with a woody base. It blooms from July to October with a multitude of small hyacinth-like Bluish-violet flowers with incurved edges and a white centre. Its flowers have long, strongly curved petals and are gathered in fragrant clusters at the ends of sturdy stems emerging from a clump of large, dark green, heart-shaped, wavy-edged leaves that turn yellow in autumn, resembling the leaves of large hogweeds. Easy to grow and hardy, this erect clematis is happy with fertile, not too dry, well-drained soil and semi-shady exposure. It is a particularly beautiful perennial in flower beds and pots, or on slopes with other wild-looking border plants. 

The Clematis genus belongs to the buttercup family. The 'Côte d'Azur' Clematis is a horticultural variety derived from the Clematis heracleifolia (the hogweed-leaved clematis), a little-known herbaceous botanical species native to China. Obtained in 1913 by the French nurseryman Victor Lemoine, it is a herbaceous and slightly climbing perennial with a woody base, forming a clump of erect and semi-spreading angular stems, with a width of about 1 m (3ft). Pruned back to 30 cm (12in) each year, the old stems turn woody and branch out, while the new stems bear beautiful dark green leaves with three large leaflets that are greyish and downy. As the plant ages, it forms short stems, giving it a ball-like appearance when in bloom. In the heart of summer, long flowering stems emerge, reaching heights of 1 m (3ft) to 1.5 m (5ft). Small bell-shaped, fragrant flowers, 2 to 3 cm (1in) long, composed of 4 recurved petals of a fairly dark bluish-violet, lightening to white in the centre revealing a throat with yellow stamens, gathered in round whorls. When they fade, the seeds form small green and silver plumes, characteristic of clematis, but their arrangement in balls around the stem enhances the decorative effect. A little slow to establish, the plant roots deeply in the soil before showing exponential growth in the following years. Like its parent, this variety prefers semi-shady situations that are not too hot.

This 'Côte d'Azur' Clematis' brings a breath of fresh air to flower beds. Plant it alongside your perpetual roses to accompany their successive blooms and fill in their sometimes bare base. The Clematis genus is rich in diversity, with varieties available in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. Thanks to its herbaceous growth habit, this amazing variety will thrive perfectly in a pot on a balcony, or on a slope invaded by perennial peas, variegated ivy, small-flowered periwinkles, Coreopsis, and euphorbias. It extends the summer, blending easily with other perennial plants or even grasses (Schizachyrium scoparium, Miscanthus sinensis Adagio) in the garden or in bouquets.