Clematis rehderiana

The Clematis rehderiana is an astonishing wild clematis native to the mountains of western China. It is a rare herbaceous and climbing species in cultivation, with an original pastel yellow flowering, rather easy to adapt in gardens with well-drained soil. In the second half of summer, and until autumn, its pretty light yellow bell-shaped flowers appear, hanging in clusters on its tender green foliage. As it seems to prefer horizontal supports, it can be used to adorn fences of medium height.

The Clematis rehderiana (formerly known as Clematis veitchiana) can reach a height of 5m (16ft), and even 7-8m (23-26ft) if not pruned and under optimal growing conditions (in rich, light, and cool soil). In its native Chinese mountains, in Sichuan and Yunnan, it grows in thickets, along rivers, and in hedges, up to an altitude of 3300m (10827ft). Young plants take 2 years to establish, then growth becomes vigorous. The plant starts flowering towards the end of July on the current year's branches and the flowers continue to appear until October. They resemble bells, are composed of 4 petals with a curved tip, and measure about 2cm (1in) long. The inflorescences, organised in paniculate clusters, resemble pale yellow lilies of the valley. This flowering, more or less fragrant, attracts numerous pollinating insects. After the flowers, silver and feathery fruits form. The leaves of this clematis are deciduous, drying in autumn and reappearing in spring. They are oval, 8cm (3in) long, composed of 7 to 9 trilobed, toothed, pubescent leaflets, pale green in colour. They are carried by climbing stems that coil around their support thanks to their petioles transformed into tendrils.

The Clematis rehderiana can be planted in the ground, as well as in pots. Like all clematis, it appreciates having its base in the shade, but its head in the sun, and it dislikes excessively wet, heavy, and poorly drained soils. This climber loves to cling to fence grids and weave through shrubs. It can be combined with blue bellflowers, as well as alpine clematis, which bloom in spring. The tangutica clematis, on the other hand, blooms at the same time, in a range of yellow tones in perfect harmony. To create a wild setting, also combine it with the surprising Ampelopsis aconitifolia, adorned with yellow and then orange berries at the end of the season.