Clematis jackmanii - Clematis vine

Clematis 'Jackmanii' has won the hearts of gardeners around the world with its astonishing ability to flower and grow almost anywhere. It displays an abundance of spectacular star-shaped flowers in a rich purple colour, centred around a small bouquet of white-cream stamens. This climbing plant is bushy, dense and compact, adorned with deciduous foliage, ranging from medium green to dark green. This legendary clematis is fully hardy and undemanding, making it suitable for all regions.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. They are found in both hemispheres, especially in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia, and North and Central America. The 'Jackmanii' variety was first introduced in England in 1862. This horticultural hybrid is the result of a cross-breeding between C. lanuginosa, a Chinese plant with immense flowers, C. viticella 'Atrorubens', native to southern Europe with bell-shaped carmine flowers, and an old English hybrid of C. diversifolia dating back to 1835, with flowers consisting of 4 violet-purple sepals. It is easy to understand why Jackman's clematis, with its exceptional genetic heritage, combines so many qualities and demonstrates remarkable adaptability to different growing conditions.

It is a perennial semi-woody climbing plant that will reach a height of 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft), with a minimum spread of 1m (3ft). This clematis bears large star-shaped flowers, reaching up to 15cm (6in) in diameter, which appear in successive waves on the current year's shoots, from June to the end of summer. The flowers are solitary or grouped in clusters. They have 4 to 6 purple-violet petals that slightly overlap. The centre of the flower is adorned with a beautiful crown of cream stamens. The flowering is followed by decorative silvery-grey feathery fruits that persist until winter. The glabrous leaves are divided into 3 leaflets, ranging from bright green to dark green. This clematis clings to the support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils.

Plant your clematis alongside climbing roses to extend the flowering period until the end of summer. It is a diverse genus, with flowers in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch.

Tips: avoid excessive use of fertilisers that stimulate foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch in order to avoid excessive moisture that promotes wilting disease.