Clematis Tage Lundell

Clematis Tage Lundell is a hybrid variety derived from the alpine clematis, from which it inherits early flowering and hardiness. It is a climbing plant with moderate growth, blooming generously in April and again towards the end of summer. Its pendulous bell-shaped flowers have long petals in rich shades of purple, and its silky fruits are very decorative. This climber thrives on old walls, trellises and fences, but also in shrubs. Its numerous tendrils allow it to climb everywhere! It looks stunning with a red or white climbing rose!

Clematis is a genus in the buttercup family. This genus includes about 30 species of herbaceous perennials with woody roots and climbing or semi-woody, evergreen or deciduous plants. They can be found in both hemispheres, particularly in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia and North and Central America. Clematis 'Tage Lundell' is a cultivar classified in Group 1 (early-flowering clematis) of Clematis, which has 3 groups. It is a semi-woody, climbing perennial plant with rapid growth, reaching an average height of 2m (7ft), with a spread of 80cm (32in) to 1m (3ft). The groups are defined based on their cultivation requirements.

Clematis Tage Lundell bears beautiful bell-shaped flowers, 6-8cm (2-3in) in diameter, hanging down on violet peduncles at the axils of the leaves. They are formed on the previous year's growth. These bell-shaped flowers usually bloom in April, and again in August-September. The flowers are solitary. They do not have petals but have 4 long, tapered, slightly twisted tepals. In the centre of the corolla are cream to pale yellow sterile stamens arranged in a small cup, surrounding true cream-white stamens. The rich and deep flower colour ranges from reddish-purple to violet-purple. Flowering is followed by decorative, silvery plume-like seed heads. The  fairly light green leaves are sometimes opposite, sometimes alternate, smooth, simple and tri palmate, with irregularly serrated edges. This clematis clings to a support or host plant with tendrils. The deciduous foliage is absent in winter.

The long bell-shaped flowers of Tage Lundell are enhanced by blue, red, or white flowers. As it likes to weave through bushes, it can be planted near a Van Houtte spirea or a Prunus glandulosa 'Alba Plena', for example. In a romantic garden, it can accompany the flowers of Japanese quinces, Prunus triloba 'Multiplex', or Magnolia stellata Rosea.

The name "clematis" comes from the Greek word "klema" meaning vine shoot, as its old stems have a woody and twisted appearance with cork exfoliations.