Clematis Mandy

Clematis 'Mandy' is a recent variety that is hard to resist. While the plant is not very large, it branches out well and each new shoot produces beautiful flowers that range from mauve to pink, surrounded by a bouquet of red to purple stamens. The flowering period is long making it an excellent choice for small gardens and terraces. Let it run along the ground among your roses or flowering bushes where it will be perfect.

Clematis belong to the Ranunculaceae family. They are found in Europe, the Himalayas, China, Australia and North and Central America. The 'Mandy' variety, introduced in the Netherlands in 2018, is a perennial, semi-woody climber that will reach about 2m (7ft) high, with a minimum spread of 1m (3ft). This clematis has single flowers which can reach 8cm (3in) in diameter, on the previous year's shoots in May-June, and then on the current year's shoots, in July-August, almost without a break, depending on the climate. The flowers are solitary with 6 broad, pointed tepals with slightly wavy edges, slightly concave and overlapping. Their very uniform colour ranges from mauve-pink to pale mauve. The centre of the flower is adorned with a beautiful crown of deep red-purple stamens. The flowers are followed by decorative silvery-grey feathery seed heads that persist until winter. The reddish stems bear glabrous leaves, divided into 3 elliptical to lanceolate, olive-green leaflets. This clematis firmly attaches itself to a support or host plant through petioles transformed into tendrils. Its deciduous foliage dries out in autumn.

Plant clematis alongside your climbing roses ('New Dawn', 'Mme Caroline Testout', 'Pink Ghislaine de Feligonde'), to extend the flowering of your walls and pergolas until the end of summer. It is a diverse genus, with many colours, shapes, and sizes available. Take advantage of their easy cultivation to give your garden a romantic and bohemian touch. 'Mandy' will pair well with the pink flowers of Isabella clematis, the red flowers of Rebecca clematis, or the white flowers of 'Superba' or 'Miss Bateman' clematis, to climb a small fence or cover a wall exposed to the morning sun. Sweet peas also complement small clematis and provide fragrance.

Tips: Avoid excessive fertiliser application that stimulates foliage at the expense of flowers. Do not mulch to avoid excessive moisture.