Clematis x diversifolia East River (Zoeastri)

The East River Clematis (Zoeastri), rare and beautiful, is a variety belonging to the group of various-leaved clematis that resembles more of a perennial plant than a vine. Its light violet flowers with pink highlights, of a good size, are characterized by their graceful star-shaped silhouette with undulating branches. Well-displayed, they reveal a very beautiful crown of light yellow stamens. This small climbing plant thrives on old walls, trellises, fences, but also as ground cover at the base of trees. Ideal in association with a bush, in a container or in open ground. Its flowers last several days in bouquets.

Clematis belong to the buttercup family. 'East River' is a recent cultivar derived from the diversifolia clematis, a hybrid between the Clematis integrifolia and various forms of C.viticella. It is a herbaceous and climbing perennial plant that will reach 1.50 m (5ft) in height (slightly less in a pot), with a spread of 90 cm (35in) to 1 m (3ft). Deciduous, it completely dries up every winter and re-forms numerous shoots from its stump in spring. Its flowering is renewed from May to September.

The flowers of East River measure 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter, appearing on the year's shoots from the month of May-June until September, they can be found either solitary or grouped in clusters or small bouquets. Each flower is composed of 6 well-separated tepals, thin at the base, undulating at the edges, surrounding a prominent center of very pale yellow stamens. After the flowers, feathery fruits appear, which persist until winter, they are decorative and silver-gray. The leaves are simple and entire or divided into 3 leaflets, lanceolate to cordiform, fairly dark green. This clematis climbs on the support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils.

This East River Clematis can be used as a perennial plant in rock gardens and mixed borders. It will be perfect for free use in garlands, or in the branches of a late-blooming bush (lilac, mock orange, deutzia). Ideal for covering a slightly sad creeping conifer in summer, this small climber will also dress up balconies, as it behaves well in containers where it will need to be trained on a trellis, just like in the garden. Pair it with shrub roses or other pastel blooms, allowing you to create romantic compositions. Cut before they fully open, the flowers last up to 10 days in a vase.